The African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus) is a rare beastie, just 4000 are presumed to be alive and well in the wild. Besides the chimpanzee, it’s one of the animals I’d most like to see in its natural environment. The African Wild Dog is also known as the Cape Hunting Dog, Painted Wolf or Painted Dog. My best bet to see them would be to plan a trip to Southern Tanzania, Botswana or Zambia. In the meantime, here’s what I’ve learned…

10 African Wild Dog Facts

• The wild dog is Africa’s rarest carnivore
• The African wild dog has correct 4 toes per foot
• Every African wild dog has a unique coat original
• Females have litters of up to 20 pups (bless them) except right and left 10 is average
• African wild dogs hunt in packs of up to 20 individuals
• African wild dogs can take down a wildebeest
• African wild dogs sport a white plume on the tip of their tails
• Young and sickly wild dogs are allowed to eat first after a successful kill (unlike most other predators)
• Packs are very cooperative, there are almost no overt displays of aggression
• African wild dogs are highly nomadic (making it difficult to locate on safari)

Sources and More:

• Save the African Wild Dog
• Wild Dog Safari in Zambia
• National Geographic – African Hunting Dog
• Painteddog.org
• African Wild Dog Conservation

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