Wild dogs utilize dens that are large in size. Records have shown that they may occur at altitudes of 1800 m in Zimbabwe. They tend to avoid Montane forests however utilize the adjacent montane grasslands. They can also be found in open plains as well as open savanna woodland. Preferably African Wild dogs will utilize woodlands and broken woodland habitats. The largest population of the species that still remains is in southern Africa (northern Botswana, western Zimbabwe, eastern Namibia, and western Zambia) and the southern part of East Africa (especially Tanzania and northern Mozambique) Extracting historic records of the distribution in the Western Cape made it quite difficult as they were often misidentified with hyaenas. Currently there are local extirpations of from home ranges. Historically, African wild dogs were once distributed throughout sub-Saharan Africa, utilizing many different habitats ranging from deserts to mountain summits but were thought to be absent from lowland rainforest and the driest deserts (IUCN). There has been records of a call that is used to get the young out from the den. Submissive behaviour also includes whining which comes from the squeaky whines when demanding for food when young. When surprised suddenly they bark and growl. Pre-hunting, during hunting, post hunting and feeding is expressed by a high-pitched, bird-like twittering. This sound is thought to carry up to four kilometres. There are many different vocal callings, with the most common being the ‘hooo-hooo’ used to relocate pack members if they get scattered. Young begging for food, upon the return of the pack from hunting, includes: whining, face licking and pushing on the corner of the mouth. Greeting ceremonies showed by adults is evolved from behaviour at young. In a relaxed position it usually hangs down, in social attraction it is curved over the hindquarters, for aggression it is held stiffly upward and to show submissiveness it is curved between the back legs. The tail, as in domestic dogs, indicated the mood of an individual. The dominant pair enforce their rank through ritual urination at the same place, while the rest of the pack members use faeces to communicate their location to other packs. African Wild dogs are crepuscular when hunting (usually hunting in the early morning and early evening).Due to their instinctive cooperative behaviour individuals are able to cut corners and keep up with directional changes made by their prey during the chase, thus increasing hunting success The fore paws are larger and broader than the hind paws.Īfrican wild dogs have cursorial locomotion (limbs adapted for running), hence targeting weaker prey species when hunting. There are four digits on each foot with short, powerful claws. The rounded ears are dark and usually have black fringes with obvious tufts of white hair growing from the lower inner edges in front. The muzzle is short and broad with a black or dark brown colouration and short hairs. The forehead and the area between the ears are mostly whitish or yellowish, with a distinct dark stipe beginning between the eyes and spreading across the top of the head. They can weigh up to 27 kgs with the male being much heavier than females. Like a humans fingerprint, across their distribution range each individual has a unique pattern. Characteristic features include: large rounded ears, long legs, a bushy, broadly white tipped tail and a hairy coat with blotches of black, yellow and white. The African wild dog is distinctive amongst other medium-sized carnivores. This is due to the misunderstanding of their hunting techniques which led them to be considered wild animals that are believed to be harmful to crops, farm animals, or game, or which carry disease. The African Wild dog is one of Africa’s most endangered carnivores. The name picta refers to painted in Latin and describes the varicoloured coat, which is blotched with patches of white, black and yellow. Originally this species was described from a specimen located in Mozambique, which was under the name Hyaena picta, by Temminck in 1820. Hunting dog is acceptable and describes the unique ecological role they play while painted describes the unique patterned makings of each individual. The Latin name Lycaon pictus translates to “painted wolf-like animal” and therefore have been referred to as painted wolves and painted hunting dogs. Often referred to as the Cape Hunting dog where Cape is insignificant as they have a wide distribution range in Africa South of the Sahara. Official Common name: African Wild Dog, Cape Hunting Dog, Painted Hunting Dog
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