Species Profile: African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus)
By Susanna Howe (University of Vermont)
Botswana Student Program 2013
Traits: the African wild dog is a medium sized mammal ranging from 60-75 cm and weighing between 20-25 kg in East Africa and up to 30 kg in Southern Africa. Their heads are hyena-like, with large, rounded ears. Wild dogs are tri-colored, black and white at birth, then begin to develop tan patches from the black areas at around 22 months old. Each individual has a unique pattern.
Distribution: Wild dogs are widespread in savannah and arid zones. They tend to avoid forests, but range through dense scrub, woodlands, and montane habitats.
Ecology: Wild dogs are carnivorous and are specialized pack hunters of medium-sized antelopes (Thomson gazelle, impala, springbok etc.) but can also hunt zebra, wildebeest calves and hares.
Specialized organization: Wild dogs are diurnal (primarily day active) and cooperative hunters, however, hunt mainly in the morning and evening when the temperature is not too hot. The pack consists of one breeding pair and other non-breeding adults/pups. The average pack size is about 10 individuals, however, packs have been documented up to 60 individuals. The average litter size of one female dog is about 10 pups. If 2 females in an average pack bred, the pack would be unable to provide enough food for the cubs and the lactating female to survive. If a second female does breed competition between the breeding females will arise. The dominant dog may even kill the subordinate females pups.
Packs will rarely return to a kill, however, in 4 different cases an African Wild dog has been seen caching food down holes, in each case, while the rest of the pack was tied down to the den with pups. Each time, the dogs from the den returned to the hole and ate the stored meat within 7-25 hours. They can go without drinking for long intervals and avoid water loss while chasing prey by increasing their body temperature.
Hierarchies exist within the dog packs led by the breeding pair (dominant pair). There is little aggression shown between individuals and each dog plays an instinctive role in the pack and is submissive to the dominants. After a kill, usually made or led by a dominant, the dog who made the kill will eat their share, then starting from the youngest pups to the oldest dogs in the pack, will take turns in that order to eat their share of the kill.
Packs have an average distance of 10km per day and in some documented cases have caught 85% of animals that they have chased but more common and tested in a series of 91 chases the dogs showed 39% kills, which is a higher success rate than all other large predators except for cheetah’s. A pack of wild dogs is thought to be so successful because of their teamwork in hunting, for instance, they chase in relays, fresh dogs taking over for exhausted leaders until they are worn out. They have a top speed of 65 km/hr which is slower than most of their prey, but they make up for this with their endurance.
Social Behavior: To mark territory and help separated individuals, the alpha pair will urine-mark around an occupied den, The dominant male usually urinates on top of where the dominant female does and when eager enough to hit the same spot will handstand for accuracy.
Similar to the domesticated dog, the wild dog will show excitement after being separated for long periods of time. When reunited the pack will all show submissive behavior towards the alpha dogs by whining and rolling on their backs. The dogs will push for the bottom positions, squirming under other dogs, showing ultimate submission.
Breeding: All members of the pack will aid the lactating female in rearing the pups. The pups venture out of the den at about 3 weeks and are weaned as early as 5 weeks. Close to 7 weeks pups begin transformation into adult form (muzzle, ears, and legs all lengthen and the tan color begins to come in). At 8-10 weeks old they start to abandon the den and begin to get most of their food from kills, but do not take part in the chase only tag along.