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Over the past two years on animation source, I have seen around 20-30 african wild dogs pass through the site. I admit that some people do know how and african wild dog behaves, but a lot don't have a clue. So, I, as an african wild dog lover, (I wouldn't call myself an expert but I do know a lot) am here to give you people of AS the information you need, or would be intrested in knowing about these beautiful animals.

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General Information

Name(s): The african wild dog has many names, such as:
-African Wild Dog
-African Hunting Dog
-Painted Dog
-Painted Hunting Dog
-Cape Hunting Dog
-Cape Wild Dog
-Painted Wolf
Genus and Species: Lycoan Pictus
Conservation Status: Endangered
Average Height: 30 inches (75cm) at the shoulder.
Average Weight: 17-36 kilograms (37-79 pounds.)
Life Expectency in the Wild:9-10 Years

Behaviour

The african wild dog is a very social member of the Canidae family. From 5-20 individuals are usually seen african wild dog packs. However, only a few years ago those numbers where some what higher. Packs of african wild dogs once consisted of around 50-100 individuals, but due to many reasons, the numbers have been highly reduced. Being one of the most successful predators in Africa, 80% of hunts end in getting a kill. They generally hunt medium-sized antelope such as impala, Thomson's gazelle, kob and springbok, but occasionally hunt larger mammals such as zebra. While hunting, this species doesn't depend on speed as other predators do such as the cheetah. The african wild dog depends mainly on stamina and are able to 35 m.p.h for 3 miles and above. Unlike lions, after a hunt adult african wild dogs stand back and allow all pups to eat first. In a pack there is very little aggression at all and if a fight is to occur, one dog will play dead to prevent a huge fight from happening. African wild dogs are also very friendly to other pack members. In the mornings, the first pack members to awake with occasionally lick, paw and gently nip at each other to awaken them. Afterwards, then may have a bit of a play. Running around, chirping and gretting each other.

Reproduction and Growth

An african wild dog can reproduce at any time of the year, althoug mating are between March and June, during the second half of the rainy season. Litters mainly have around 2-19 pups in them, but litters of 10 are the most usual number to have. The time between births is usually 12-14 months, however, if a previous litter has no surviving pups, it can be a short as 6 months. The typical gestation period is usually around 70-72 days, the longest in the Canidae family. The pups will usually be born in a den dug out by the mother and other members of the pack, or more commonly, one which has been abadoned by a smaller mammal such as an aardvark. Weaning takes place at 10 weeks of age.Pups leave the den at 3 months At 8-11 months they can kill small prey. Between 12 and 18 months they can fend for themselves and have reached sexual maturity.

Social Structure

An african wild dog pack consists mainly of males due to the fact that more males are born in a litter than females. In packs, there are two heirarchies. If an alpha dies, the males and females will split up. In the female group, the mother of all the other dogs will become dominant. In the males' group the youngest male or the father of the other dogs will become dominant. If two seperate gender groups who are unrelated meet, they are likely to join together and form a pack. African wild dogs have a submission-based heirarchy, not a dominance-based one. While eating, they will not fight for food. Instead, the will usually beg for it.

Communication

African wild dogs communicate through body language, touch and vocally as most Caninies do. All african wild dogs have some white near the tip of their tails. This is used as a furry flag with other members during a hunt so that no dogs are lost. Their vocal communication consists of grunts,squeals and the also make "woop" like noises too.

Pictures All these images belong to someone of Flickr. Do NOT steal them or claim as your own. I made sure they were on the 'allowed for commerical use' section.


Other Useful Sites

http://wilddog.hypermart.net/Home/Wild_dog_page/WildDog_WebSite/index.htm
http://www.save-the-african-wild-dog.com/
http://www.awdczambia.org/