Post by Jibwa@FS on Apr 14, 2013 23:20:59 GMT -5
Type:Mammal
Diet:Carnivore
Average life span in the wild:Up to 11 years
Size:29.5 to 43 in (75 to 110 cm)
Weight:39.5 to 79 lbs (18 to 36 kg)
Group name:Pack
Protection status:Endangered
Family:Canidae
Genus/Species:Lycaon pictus
Head and Body Length:35-50 inches
Time of Mating:Geographically variableGestation Length:69-73 days
Litter Sizes:2-21 (average of 6-9)
Age of Sexual Maturity:One year, but sexual suppression results in later age of reproduction
HabitatVariable: dense bush and forests to open plains
Predator/Prey Diet:Varies geographically: impala, kudu, duiker, gazelle, and wildebeest
Foraging:Hunts cooperatively in packs, experienced individuals can bring down prey on their own
Very informative and touching video, it's a story of a Wild Dog named Newky. It follows his struggles that he encounters in everyday Wild Dog life.
You can also watch the video here jibwatrail.weebly.com/african-wild-dog-info.html
General
These long-legged canines have only four toes per foot, unlike other dogs, which have five toes on their forefeet. The dog's Latin name means "painted wolf," referring to the animal's irregular, mottled coat, which features patches of red, black, brown, white, and yellow fur. Each animal has its own unique coat pattern, and all have big, rounded ears.
African wild dogs live in packs that are usually dominated by a monogamous breeding pair. The female has a litter of 2 to 20 pups, which are cared for by the entire pack. These dogs are very social, and packs have been known to share food and to assist weak or ill members. Social interactions are common, and the dogs communicate by touch, actions, and vocalizations.
African wild dogs hunt in formidable, cooperative packs of 6 to 20 (or more) animals. Larger packs were more common before the dogs became endangered. Packs hunt antelopes and will also tackle much larger prey, such as wildebeests, particularly if their quarry is ill or injured. The dogs supplement their diet with rodents and birds. As human settlements expand, the dogs have sometimes developed a taste for livestock, though significant damage is rare. Unfortunately, they are often hunted and killed by farmers who fear for their domestic animals.
African hunting dogs are endangered. They are faced with shrinking room to roam in their African home. They are also quite susceptible to diseases spread by domestic animals.
Lifestyle
Social Behaviour
African Wild Dogs live in packs, comprised of related females, related males, and pups, with a very unique social structure. Pack sizes usually range from 6-20 animals but have been observed with numbers as high as 27 and as low as 2. Pack sizes that fall below 6 have trouble hunting successfully and pack sizes exceeding 20 usually break apart to form new packs.
New packs are formed when groups of sisters or brothers emigrate together and join opposite-sex groups, however, field observations suggest that not all combinations of groups are compatible. If two groups merge and find that they are unable to 'get along' the groups will separate and continue searching for a opposite sexed group to form a pack with. When a group of brothers meets successfully with a group of sisters, the pack will begin to reproduce.
Reproduction
Reproduction is seasonal in most regions. When new packs form, the alpha pair may not mate immediately. Within the pack, usually only the dominant pair breeds while other members of the pack assist in caring for the pups. The role pack members play is not fixed. Babysitters can and do go hunting. Occasionally, in very large packs, more than one female will reproduce. When the appropriate season arrives (depending on geography) the breeding female will select a den, usually below ground. Once the pups are born, the mother will be confined to the den for lactation while the other members of the pack will take on different roles to ensure highest level of survival for the pups. Each member of the pack take on a different role. Some members of the pack are responsible for looking after the pups and keeping them safe from predators while other members of the pack are responsible for hunting. While the mother is confined to the den during early lactation, food is presented to her, and later pups, by regurgitation. The pups remain at the den site for 10-12 weeks. After 3 months, when the pups are ready to leave the den, the pack will resume their nomadic way and begin to teach the pups to hunt.
Hunting
African Wild Dogs are crepuscular, resting during the day and hunting primarily in the early morning and evening. They are one of Africa's most successful hunters, with a diet that varies based on the geography but includes: impala, kudu, duiker, gazelle, and wildebeest. The success of these predators is due to their high degree of cooperation although experienced adults are capable of hunting prey on their own. African Wild Dogs are thought of as vicious killers as many times they begin consuming their prey before it has died. This type of behavior may prejudice people against them; however, unlike most groups of carnivores, African Wild Dogs do not show aggression towards each other during hunting and feeding. The defined social hierarchy of these animals is so defined that there is very little intimidation displayed.