Basic Information
African wild dogs have a special scientific name — Lycaon pictus — which means “painted wolf” because of their beautiful spotted coats!
African Wild Dogs - Facts for Kids
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Facts About African Wild Dogs For Kids
African wild dogs belong to the family Canidae, just like wolves and domestic dogs, but they’re the only member of their genus Lycaon!
African wild dogs usually live about 10–12 years in the wild, but when they’re cared for in zoos or protected places they can live up to around 14–15 years!
Adult African wild dogs usually weigh between 40–80 pounds (18-36 kilograms), about the same as a medium-sized domestic dog!
In a group of African wild dog adults, the males are called dogs, the females are called bitches, and their babies are called pups.
African wild dogs are carnivores, which means they only eat meat!
The animal we call the African wild dog actually has several names in different places — some people call it the painted dog, the painted wolf, or the Cape hunting dog!
African wild dogs are about the size of a medium to large pet dog, standing around 24 to 30 inches (60 to 75 centimeters) tall at the shoulder!
African wild dogs are excellent problem solvers and can figure out new hunting strategies when needed!
African wild dogs have been around for millions of years — they’re one of the oldest members of the dog family!
African wild dogs are active during the day, unlike many other large predators in Africa!
African wild dogs are considered one of Africa’s most endangered carnivores!
African wild dogs are important for keeping their ecosystem healthy by controlling prey populations!
African wild dogs can be found in grasslands, savannas, and even some forested areas!
African wild dogs are one of the few species where females leave their birth pack instead of males!
Physical Characteristics
Every African wild dog has its own unique coat pattern, just like human fingerprints — no two are exactly alike!
African wild dog have big rounded ears that can be about 4–5 inches (10–13 centimetres) across — about the size of a small coffee mug!
African wild dogs have only four toes on each foot, while most other dogs have five toes on their front feet!
The white tip on an African wild dog’s tail acts like a ‘follow-me’ sign when the pack moves through tall grass.
The coat of the African wild dog is a crazy mix of black, brown, yellow and white patches — and that helps it hide in the grasses and bushes of the African savanna!
African wild dogs have incredibly strong jaws that can crack bones, with a bite force of about 317 PSI (pounds per square inch)!
African wild dogs have long, slender legs that are built for running and endurance — they’re designed for chasing prey over long distances!
The large, bat-like ears of the African wild dog help them hear very well and stay cool in hot weather by letting heat escape through the ear’s surface!
Unlike most dogs, African wild dogs don’t have dewclaws (that little extra toe) on their front feet — which helps make their legs more streamlined and better for running!
African wild dogs have extra-powerful teeth — especially the ones behind their canines — which are bigger and sharper than those of dogs your pet might know.
An African wild dog’s tail can be about 11 to 16 inches (30 to 41 cm) long, and that big tail helps them balance and stay visible to each other while running together!
Behavior & Intelligence
African wild dogs are one of the most social animals in the world, living in packs that work together like a family!
African wild dogs communicate using a variety of sounds, including chirps, squeaks, and bird-like twitters that sound nothing like a regular dog’s bark!
When African wild dogs need to make a group decision, like where to hunt, they have a special behavior called “social rallying” where they sneeze to vote!
African wild dogs share their food with pack members who couldn’t join the hunt, including pups, elderly, and sick dogs!
African wild dogs work together in teams and can bring down prey much larger than themselves!
African wild dogs take care of sick or injured pack members, bringing them food and protecting them until they recover!
Unlike many other animals, African wild dog packs are led by both a dominant male and female, who are usually the parents of many pack members!
African wild dogs play games with each other to strengthen their bonds and practice hunting skills!
When African wild dogs greet each other, they leap, tumble, squeak, wag their tails and rush around together — almost like they’re doing a little welcome dance!
African wild dogs use different sounds to communicate different messages — they have specific calls for excitement, danger, and gathering the pack!
When a pack of African wild dog go hunting, some members lead the chase while others flank or follow behind to take over — they swap roles so the pack works together and no one gets worn-out!
The pack of African wild dogs sometimes creates diversions — they’ll run in and stir up a herd to split it apart, and then one or more dogs pounce on the separated prey!
African wild dogs show empathy by sharing food with injured pack members who can’t hunt!
Habitat & Survival
African wild dogs can live in many different types of places, from open plains to dense forests, as long as there’s enough prey and space to hunt!
African wild dogs are super speedy — they can run at speeds of up to 66 km/h (41 mph), which is faster than most cars on a city street!
African wild dogs are most active during dawn and dusk, which helps them avoid the hottest parts of the day!
African wild dogs can survive in areas where other predators can’t because they’re so good at working together!
African wild dogs often use abandoned aardvark or warthog burrows as dens to keep their pups safe.
African wild dogs leave special smells behind them to let other dogs know where they live. These smells can last for a few days, helping them keep their space safe.
Life Cycle
African wild dog pups are born black and white, and develop their unique spotted patterns as they grow older!
A mother African wild dog can have between 2 and 20 pups in a single litter, with the average being about 10 pups!
Baby African wild dogs start eating solid food at around 3–4 weeks old, when they begin to get their first teeth!
