African Hunting Dogs hunt in packs. Their main prey are impala and similar medium sized ungulates. They're known for their stamina and for being clever hunters; they have been observed hunting prey in relays, or even blocking a potential escape route for prey. Members of a hunting pack vocalize to help coordinate their movements. Their voice is characterized by an unusual chirping or squeaking sound, similar to a bird. After a hunt, dogs will often regurgitate meat for members of the group that have stayed behind, including the old, the lame, the pups, and subordinate adults who have taken on the responsibility of caring for the pups. Their need for a large territory has led to the situation where today they are threatened with extinction. Their relatively small physique also makes them vulnerable to attacks by their competitors, lions and hyenas. The dogs are also killed by livestock herders and game hunters. They tend to be elusive and unlike most other members of the dog family, are extremely difficult to tame.

The current estimate for remaining wild dogs in the wild is approximately 5,600. Of these, the majority live in the two remaining large populations associated with the Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania and the population centered in northern Botswana and eastern Namibia. Isolated populations persist in Zambia, Kenya, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

See also

• Dhole - Indian Wild Dog

References

• Database entry includes justification for why this species is endangered
  
• Nowak, Ronald M. (2005). Walker's Carnivores of the World. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Press. ISBN 0801880327

External links

• African Wild Dogs: Wildlife summary from the African Wildlife Foundation
• Perth Zoo
• Edinburgh Zoo Fact Sheet
• BBC - Pictures of African Wild Dog Puppies
• Short Video about the African Wild Dog

Хиеново куче | Hyænehund | Afrikanischer Wildhund | Lycaon pictus | Lycaon (mammifère) | זאב טלוא | Lycaon pictus | リカオン | Afrikos hieninis šuo | Afrikaanse wilde hond | Afrikansk villhund | Mabeco | Гиеновидная собака | Дивљи пас | Afrikansk vildhund