![]() ![]() This includes the impala, the greater kudu, the Thomson’s gazelle, the nyala, and the common wildebeest.The African wild dog ( Lycaon pictus), also known as the painted dog or Cape hunting dog, is a wild canine native to sub-Saharan Africa. The Impact of the Extinction of Wild dogsĪlong with other large African carnivores like lions, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards, the African wild dog is an important part of the ecosystem because it keeps herbivores from destroying habitat and overfeeding. There are still small groups of wild dogs in several southern and eastern African countries, such as South Africa’s Kruger National Park, Zimbabwe’s Zambezi and Hwange National Park, Botswana’s Okavango Delta region, and Tanzania’s Selous National Park (Tanzania). The International Union for the Conservation of Nature is of the opinion that wild dog populations are now in an irreversible decline and should therefore be considered endangered. Wild dogs are also targeted by farmers who fear they will kill the livestock on their lands. Added to this, these majestic beasts are being hunted and killed by poachers for the illegal meat trade, which is rife in some parts of Africa. The biggest threats to African wild dogs are human encroachment and agricultural expansion. Members of the pack can be found guarding the den once pups are born, while others go off to hunt. They rely heavily on the assistance of the pack to successfully rear the pups. ![]() An interesting fact about female wild dogs is that they cannot rear their offspring on their own. Pups are fed by their mother’s regurgitation, at least for the first three months. The female will stay with the pups and nurse them, while other members of the pack deliver food to her in the den. In the Southern African regions, pups are normally born in late May, through to June.įemales give birth in a prepared den, and pups will remain in the den for a period of three months. The gestation period lasts for a period of 70-75 days. The African wild dogs are seasonal breeders with whelping occurring from April through to September. Wild dogs communicate with each other through touch, action, and thin bird-like calls. However, almost all of their attempts fail since these snares are very strong and secure and pose the greatest threat to the populations of African wild dogs scattered around southern Africa. Often, if a member is caught in a snare, members of the pack try to help them out of it. ![]() “African wild dogs stick together,”- Chris Kelly. In fact, they share food with each other and assist weak or sick members of the pack. The African wild dog is known for being very social. Older wild dogs often feed the pups and even rear them when necessary. The whole pack has the responsibility to look after the pups of the alpha pair. The pack is led by a monogamous breeding pair, also known as the alpha male and female. This makes them one of the most social animals in Africa.Īfrican wild dogs live in packs which generally range from 10 to 40. All wild dogs have a sense of fun, a gentle soul, and a willingness to work together. They all have different personalities, different skills, and their own quirks. These apex predators are also popular for their agility and can run faster than 70 km/h when hunting. However, males are often slightly bigger than females. The weight of adult wild dogs ranges from 18 to 36 kg (40 to 79 lb.). The African wild dog is a canine, but unlike other dogs, it only has four toes per foot. They are also very popular for their well-rounded big ears and the white tip often spotted on their tails. Each African wild dog has its own, unique coat. However, the scientific name for the African wild dog is Lycaon pictus, which means “painted wolf.” This name is descriptive of their irregular, blotched coat, which has spots of red, brown, white, black, and even yellow fur. The African wild dog is known by many names, including the Cape hunting dogs, the painted dogs, painted wolves, and the African hunting dogs, among others. ![]()
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