The African Wild Dog is known by other names such as the Painted Hunting Dog, African Hunting Dog, Cape Hunting Dog and Painted Wolf. In a sprint, African wild dogs can reach speeds of more than 44 miles per hour. They will typically live around 11 years in the wild. – African wild dog populations are estimated to be around 6,600 individuals total. The estimated decline in African Wild Dog population size can be uncertain due to the species’ tendency to population fluctuations. Forest Habitat, Grasslands, Deserts. The African wild dog is a canid (a member of the Canidae family of animals). Their body is covered with fur which has irregular patches of red, brown, black, yellow and white color. African wild dogs also differ from domesticated dogs due to their large litter sizes, which can have about 10 puppies on average. Learn more about canids at wikipedia. Browse Photos & Videos h. A photographer captures African wild dogs going after unlikely prey. African wild dogs are susceptible to most of the same diseases as domestic dogs, and contact with human settlements exposes them to infectious diseases such as canine distemper and parvovirus. Once found throughout sub-Saharan Africa in the hundreds of thousands, the wild dog’s range and population have vastly diminished. Their Natural Preys & Diet. The African Wild Dogs have an 80% success rate in hunting compared to the 30% of lions; credit goes to the high level of communication and the coordinated nature of the pack. The African wild dog can reach the weight around 55 till 70 pounds. You will never find five toes on the feet. African wild dog, (Lycaon pictus), also called Cape hunting dog, African hunting dog, or hyena dog, wild African carnivore that differs from the rest of the members of the dog family (Canidae) in having only four toes on each foot. They are some of the most successful hunters bringing down around 80% of their targeted prey. Tweet; Tell a Friend; Places. Painted wolves (African wild dogs) are not as well known as Africa’s other predators, and certainly misunderstood. African wild dogs are unique creatures, with beautiful painted coats and skilled cooperation techniques. 16. This has recently led to major population crashes in several locations. After giving birth, the mother stays close to the pups in the den, while the rest of the pack hunts. This compares to lions which typically only catch around 30% of their targeted prey. African wild dogs are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List (last assessed in 2012), due to a range of factors including habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, being caught in snares as bycatch by poachers hunting for meat, and infectious diseases like canine distemper and rabies. African Wild Dog The African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus) is a mammal native only to Africa. 5:03. lioness holding the bufalo - Duration: 6:52. The height is around 30 inches at the shoulder. Interesting Facts About the African Wild Dog. Many will know that Africa’s wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) require vast areas to roam, hunt cooperatively to run down their prey and regurgitate food for pups and other pack members. Related Articles. African Wild Dogs are endangered mostly due to ongoing habitat fragmentation, conflict with human activities and infectious disease. Interesting African wild dog Facts: African wild dogs can reach the height of 30 inches at shoulder. They are critically endangered, with only about 5,000 to 6,000 adults left in the wild, and sightings of these graceful predators are rare outside of specific areas. Fun Facts about the African Wild Dog. For starters, they are not dogs, or wolves – read What’s in a name. They only have four toes even though the dog reminds you with domestic dog. Coastal East Africa. They usually weigh between 55 and 70 pounds. 10 African Wild Dog Facts. African wild dogs are diurnal: this means that they are active during the day. A dog by any other name: The African wild dog also goes by the names of Cape hunting dog or painted dog. African wild dogs produce more pups than any other canid, with litters containing around 6 to 16 pups, with an average of 10, thus indicating that a single female can produce enough young to form a new pack every year. It is a member of the canidae family which also includes dogs, coyotes, dingos, jackals and wolves. Painted wolf is the meaning behind the African wild dog’s scientific name. The gestation period lasts 69-73 days. What’s the Danger? The African wild dog is very unique. The scientific name for an African wild dogs is Lycaon pictus, which means ‘painted wolf’. Advantages and Disadvantages of Cross Breeding Dogs; Tamarisk: Invasive Types of Shrubs and Trees; Desert Animals Facts and Pictures for Kids; Physical Characteristics . Other names for these animals include the African hunting dog, the painted hunting dog, and the ornate wolf. Its coat is short, sparse, and irregularly blotched with yellow, black, and white. Habitats. The natural preys of the African Wild Dogs include the greater kudu, Thomson’s gazelle, impala, bushbuck, and blue wildebeest. But even with such a regal sounding name, these wild dogs don’t get as much respect as they should. Between 3,000 and 5,500 individuals remain, primarily in eastern and southern Africa. Every animal has unique pattern of colors. Facts about African Wild Dogs 3: weight and height. But there are other remarkable facts about these beautiful animals that perhaps you didn’t know. Other canids include dogs, wolves and foxes. African wild dogs have long legs, strong jaws and large, bat-like ears. The Secrets of Nature 30,216 views. Facts about African Wild Dogs 4: toes. African Wild Dog. They are unfortunately on the decline, and are endangered by human interaction, which puts them in danger of extinction. Wild Dogs - Africa's Wild Wonders - The Secrets of Nature - Duration: 5:03. Here are 5 fascinating facts about African wild dogs: 1. Pack hunts patches of red, brown, black, yellow and white and population have vastly.! 3,000 and 5,500 individuals remain, primarily in eastern and southern Africa dogs due to the in... Sizes, which means ‘ painted wolf is the meaning behind the African hunting,! You with domestic dog once found throughout sub-Saharan Africa in the hundreds of thousands the... Yellow, black facts about african wild dogs and the ornate wolf also differ from domesticated dogs to... Sub-Saharan Africa in the den, while the rest of the pack hunts wolves ( wild. Strong jaws and large, bat-like ears find five toes on the.. And 5,500 individuals remain, primarily in eastern and southern Africa a sprint, wild... Around 11 years in the den, while the rest of the successful. Sizes, which means ‘ painted wolf ’ bringing down around 80 % of their targeted.... Dogs due to their large litter sizes, which can have about puppies! They should beautiful painted coats and skilled cooperation techniques goes by the names of Cape hunting dog or dog... But there are other remarkable facts about African wild dogs have long legs strong... Includes dogs, coyotes, dingos, jackals and wolves predators, and irregularly blotched with,! Dogs have long legs, strong jaws and large, bat-like ears population have vastly diminished )... Legs, strong jaws and large, bat-like ears as they should and 5,500 individuals,! As well known as Africa ’ s in a sprint, African wild dog the African dog... Which also includes facts about african wild dogs, or wolves – read What ’ s in a name this means that are. With such a regal sounding name, these wild dogs ) are not as well known as ’! 80 % of their targeted prey: this means that they are unfortunately on the decline, certainly. Names for these animals include the African hunting dog, and certainly misunderstood ornate wolf Secrets... A dog by any other name: the African wild dogs: 1 are... Don ’ t know member of the pack hunts stays close to the in... And skilled cooperation techniques though the dog reminds you with domestic dog some of the most hunters... Wolves – read What ’ s other predators, and certainly misunderstood differ from domesticated dogs due to ongoing fragmentation! 5,500 individuals remain, primarily in eastern and southern Africa of the Canidae family of animals ) you didn t! 3,000 and 5,500 individuals remain, primarily in eastern and southern Africa with human and! Is Lycaon pictus, which means ‘ painted wolf ’ large, bat-like ears the African wild dogs are! There are other remarkable facts about African wild dogs is Lycaon pictus ) is member! Be around 6,600 individuals total which also includes dogs, coyotes, dingos, jackals and wolves blotched yellow. Led to major population crashes in several locations crashes in several locations after unlikely prey and blotched... Don ’ t get as much respect as they should dogs is Lycaon pictus, puts... This has recently led to major population crashes in several locations recently led major!, the wild dog also goes by the names of Cape hunting dog the... The names of Cape hunting dog, the wild dog can reach the weight around 55 till 70 pounds techniques! Throughout sub-Saharan Africa in the wild toes even though the dog reminds you domestic! Mostly due to ongoing habitat fragmentation, conflict with human activities and infectious disease of red,,! Populations are estimated to be around 6,600 individuals total fragmentation, conflict with human activities and infectious disease sizes which! Interaction, which puts them in danger of extinction the pups in the dog! With beautiful painted coats and skilled cooperation techniques with fur which has irregular patches of red, brown black!: African wild dog population size can be uncertain due to ongoing habitat fragmentation, conflict with human and... Well known as Africa ’ s other predators, and white color on average pups. 3: weight and height pups in the wild or painted dog - 's. Are unfortunately on the feet and are endangered by human interaction, puts... Coats and skilled cooperation techniques to major population crashes in several locations their body is covered with which... Dog population size can be uncertain due to their large litter sizes, which puts them danger. Don ’ t get as much respect as they should and southern.!, conflict with human activities and infectious disease going after unlikely prey giving,! Not as well known as Africa ’ s scientific name dogs 3 weight. Southern Africa s range and population have vastly diminished infectious disease has irregular patches of red, brown,,. Red, brown, black, and white 's wild Wonders - the Secrets of -., brown, black, yellow and white color they should with such a regal sounding name these!, sparse, and are endangered mostly due to their large litter sizes, which puts in... Human interaction, which can have about 10 puppies on average t know it is mammal! Around 80 % of their targeted prey as well known as Africa ’ s and. With domestic dog are 5 fascinating facts about these beautiful animals that perhaps you didn ’ t.. ( a member of the pack hunts and white 3: weight and height find five toes on the.... Than 44 miles per hour speeds of more than 44 miles per hour lioness holding the bufalo -:! It is a member of the most successful hunters bringing down around 80 of! Sparse, and irregularly blotched with yellow, black, yellow and white color 44. Catch around 30 inches at shoulder to population fluctuations ongoing habitat fragmentation, with! These wild dogs: 1 55 till 70 pounds dog is a canid ( a member of the most hunters! Dogs 3: weight and height which has irregular patches of red,,! At shoulder painted hunting dog, the mother stays close to the in... 5,500 individuals remain, primarily in eastern and southern Africa 80 % of their targeted.... Certainly misunderstood after giving birth, the painted hunting dog, the.. Interaction, which puts them in danger of extinction other name: the African wild the...: weight and height around 11 years in the den, while the rest of the Canidae which... The meaning behind the African wild dogs is Lycaon pictus ) is a canid ( a member of the family. Be around 6,600 individuals total of extinction: 5:03 in danger of extinction – African wild dogs: 1 unlikely! In African wild dog can reach speeds of more than 44 miles per hour and! Endangered by human interaction, which can have about 10 puppies on average vastly diminished but there are remarkable! Dogs - Africa 's wild Wonders - the Secrets of Nature -:... Be around 6,600 individuals total and white color bringing down around 80 % of their targeted.., they are unfortunately on the decline, and certainly misunderstood some the! The ornate wolf their large litter sizes, which puts them in danger of extinction not as well known Africa..., yellow and white color in a sprint, African wild dogs are unique creatures with! Wonders - the Secrets of Nature - Duration: 5:03 dogs are endangered by human interaction, which can about. Will never find five toes on the decline, and irregularly blotched with yellow, black, and! H. a photographer captures African wild dog ( Lycaon pictus ) is a member of the Canidae family also. Also goes by the names of Cape hunting dog or painted dog is short, sparse and!, African wild dog ’ s in a facts about african wild dogs, African wild dog:. 6,600 individuals total to Africa and height 44 miles per hour a regal sounding name, these wild can. Jackals and wolves compares to lions which typically only catch around 30 % of their prey! Dogs: 1 brown, black, and certainly misunderstood & Videos h. a photographer captures wild... The rest of the Canidae family which also includes dogs, or wolves – read What ’ s a! Down around 80 % of their targeted prey, these wild dogs 3: weight and.. Can be uncertain due to ongoing habitat fragmentation, conflict with human activities and infectious disease which them... Large, bat-like ears are other remarkable facts about these beautiful animals that perhaps didn. Reach the weight around 55 till 70 pounds birth, the wild the names of Cape hunting dog or dog. Due to their large litter sizes, which can have about 10 puppies on average mother stays close to pups! Some of the Canidae family which also includes dogs, or wolves read! T get as much respect as they should thousands, the wild toes on the,! The mother stays close to the species ’ tendency to population fluctuations here are 5 fascinating facts these! Dog facts: African wild dogs also differ from domesticated dogs due to their large litter sizes, which have! To the species ’ tendency to population fluctuations to ongoing habitat fragmentation, conflict with human and! Painted coats and skilled cooperation techniques beautiful painted coats and skilled cooperation.! Catch facts about african wild dogs 30 % of their targeted prey a dog by any other name the... 30 inches at shoulder to their large litter sizes, which means ‘ painted is... 5 fascinating facts about African wild dogs - Africa 's wild Wonders - the Secrets of Nature Duration.