The Wild Canine Of Africa
The African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), also known as the painted hunting dog, painted wolf, African hunting dog, Cape hunting dog or most commonly known as the African painted dog, is a canid native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is the largest of its family in Africa, and the only surviving member of the category Lycaon, which is distinguished from Canis by teeth specialized for a “hypercarnivorous” diet, and a lack of dewclaws. They were classified as endangered by the IUCN in 2016, as it had disappeared from much of its original range. The 2016 population was estimated at roughly 39 subpopulations containing 6,600 adults, only 1,400 of which were reproductive. The decline of these populations is ongoing, due to habitat demolishment, poaching and disease outbreaks. At 2019 the population was recorded now below 5,000. They have become Africa’s most endangered wild Dog species.
This wild dog is endangered due to habitat loss caused by the human overpopulation, poaching, diseases like rabies and threats from other predators such as lions and hyenas (The only predators of the “Lycaon pictus”) . If given the chance, The lions will kill as many wild dogs and their pups as possible in order to reduce competition.
Prey: Antelope, Warthog, Rodents, leftover animal carcasses left over from Lions, Jackals, vultures and animals that have died from natural causes.
Predators: Lions, Hyenas, Humans
Lifestyle:CrepuscularGroup
Behavior: Pack
Lifespan:10–13 years
Sexual Maturity:12–18 months
Gestation Period:70 days
Average Litter Size:8
Name Of Young:Pup
Age Of Weaning:3 months
Status: Endangered
Population Size: Less than 5,000
The study on the lives of the African Painted Dog has been spread out for several years, they can run at speeds upwards of 42.5 mph, their teeth are extremely strong and sharp and they have a lock jaw so they can bite and latch on to their prey until its finally taken to the ground.
The largest populations remain in southern Africa and the southern part of East Africa (especially Tanzania and northern Mozambique). The wild dogs are social and gather in packs of around ten individuals, but some packs number more than 40. Their hight ranges from 30 inches to 3ft, and their weight can reach up to 75 pounds,( Dependent on the size of the pack,age of the canine, the health and their eating habits.)
The long and slender legs of the African wild dog give it a lithe appearance. Its head is very similar to a hyena in structure, but their teeth are slightly longer and sharper. Unlike most other canids, which have 5 toes on each paw and 42 teeth, the African wild dog has only 4 toes and 40 teeth. The unique markings on its coat is used to stay easily hidden from prey and predators in tall grass and bushes. The African wild dog’s lifestyle requires a extremely large territory. These nomads of the steppes and savannah are always on the move, with the exception of a three-month breeding season each year. The rest of the year, it roams over a territory of up to 4,000 km2.
Led by the clan leader, hunting is conducted slowly and silently. Once the attack has taken place, the pack is ruthless. The dogs isolate the target in order to exhaust it, then devour it alive. African wild dogs generally feed on gazelles, impalas and antelopes, but can also take down a lion or a wildebeest if the pack is large and strong enough. Able to reach speeds of up to 60 km/h, they rarely lose their prey.