Wildlife
African wild dogs form packs of up to 40 members, each with a dominant breeding pair, that remain monogamous for life. These gregarious animals are co-operative hunters, relying on sight rather than smell to pinpoint their prey. Hunts tend to occur at dawn and dusk, but on occasion the dogs will venture out if there is a full moon. They chase until their prey tires, reaching speeds up to 55 kmph, and sometimes disemboweling prey it while it is still running.
Scientific name: Lycaon pictus
Rank: Species
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Puppy love
A first glimpse of the latest litter of pups at the wild dog den.
The beautiful African wild dog is rarely seen, even in areas where they do survive. Having disappeared from much of their former range wild dogs are now found in their greatest numbers in Southern Africa and there may be only 3,000-5,000 free-ranging individuals left on the whole continent. They are now legally protected across much of their range, but this protection is rarely enforced and wild dogs continue to decline in many areas as a result of ongoing conflict with humans and the challenges resulting from habitat fragmentation and infectious diseases.
The hunters return
Wild dogs return to the den with full bellies.
Wild dogs return to the den with full bellies.
A dog's life
Group dynamics and socialising are important to wild dogs.
Group dynamics and socialising are important to wild dogs.
Can't catch me
Thomson's gazelles let the wild dogs know that they are too strong and swift to catch.
Thomson's gazelles let the wild dogs know that they are too strong and swift to catch.
Wild dog hunt
An aerial perspective gives insight into the technique of African hunting dogs.
It's impossible to follow a wild dog hunt at ground level through the treacherous swamplands of the Okavango. Using the helicopter-mounted camera, the crew managed to capture the entire hunt from the air. The high definition camera meant they could film from far enough above the dogs and their prey not to give alarm and interfere with the natural action.
Species range provided by WWF's Wildfinder.
The African wild dog can be found in a number of locations including: Africa. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.
The following habitats are found across the African wild dog distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Endangered
Population trend: Decreasing
Year assessed: 2008
Classified by: IUCN 3.1
Lycaon pictus is a canid found only in Africa, especially in savannas and lightly wooded areas. It is variously called the African wild dog, African hunting dog, Cape hunting dog, painted dog, painted wolf, painted hunting dog, spotted dog, or ornate wolf.
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Desert
Flooded grassland
Tropical dry forest
Tropical grassland
Carnivorous
Co-operative breeding
Hierarchical
Acoustic communication
Monogamous
Nomadic
Pack-hunter
Parental investment
Social
Adapted to running
Chemical communication
Visual communication
Viviparous