Fast Facts
After hours of driving in the bush, I found it hard to imagine keeping track of individual wild dogs. Luckily, each dog that's collared sends out a unique radio signal. Also, wild dogs almost always travel in packs and because of their unique markings, no two dogs are alike. Wild dogs creatures have bodies resembling the shape of other canines but they have incredibly large, round ears and white-tipped tails.
Here are some other fast facts about the African Wild Dog, Lyacon pictus.
Size: Wild dogs typically weigh between 37-80 pounds (17-36 kg). Their height, on average is 24-30 inches (61-78 cm).
Population: Estimates are < 5,000 total.
Pack Size: Average pack size is 6-12 although they can number up to 40 or 50 individuals per pack.
Breeding: There is typically only one breeding pair in a pack but, the entire pack will play a part in raising the pups.
Range: Wild dogs used to be found across much of Africa, wherever savanna, grassland and woodland habitats were found. Today, their fragmented populations are scattered, mostly in southern Africa. You will most likely find wild dogs where their prey lives, in protected areas like parks and reserves. Nomadic creatures, wild dogs may roam for miles in a day.
Diet: Primarily medium-sized antelope species, and occasionally, ostriches, warthogs, zebras.
Threats: Loss of habitat is the single biggest threat to these animals but hunting, disease and poisoning also threaten their numbers.
Status: Wild dogs are listed as "endangered" on the IUCN Red List.
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