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African Wild Dog
(Cape Hunting Dog) (Tri-colored Dog)
African Wild Dogs in their natural habit. Photos taken in the Okawango Delta in Botswana in 1998. Photo Courtesy of
Bernadette.
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Pronunciation |
African Wild Dog |
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Description |
The African Wild Dog has spotted coloration on their
coat. It is sufficiently unique that no two animals have the same pattern. They
have very good eye site and, unlike other canids, they hunt only by sight and
not by scent. Their body is thin and strongly muscled with long, thin legs.
Their ears are large and pointed upright. |
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Temperament |
The African Wild Dog is not a domesticated dog. They
live in the wild and in zoos. Inside their dog packs they have strong family
bonds headed by alpha male and alpha female. They live in stable groups of
related males with related females leaving to join a different pack at 14 to 30
months old. Pups are given priority at feeding; adults wait until youngsters
have finished. They all cooperate with each other when hunting, following the
direction signals of the alpha male. Hunting occurs around dawn and dusk.
Gestation is approximately 70 days with a litter of 6 to 10 puppies. Pups can
begin eating regurgitated solid food at about 3 weeks. During the first 2 months
the pups are protected by 1 to 2 adults when the pack is hunting. Pups are
weaned in 10 to 12 weeks and reach sexual maturity between 12 to 18 months. In
the wild, the African Wild Dog eats, gazelle, antelope, zebra, wart-hog and
drink little water because they receive adequate amounts from blood of prey. In
captivity, such as a zoo, they eat dried dog food and bones. |
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Height, Weight |
Length of body is 30 - 40 inches (71 - 85 cm.)
The tail is 12-16 inches (31-41cm.) long.
Weight: 44 to 60 pounds (20.5 - 27 kg.) |
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Health Problems |
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Living Conditions |
The African Wild Dog live outdoors. They are an
undomesticated breed living in Africa and in zoos. |
Exercise |
This wild dog has great endurance; on the final part of
the hunt they can reach speeds of up to 37 mph. |
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Life Expectancy |
About 10 years. |
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Grooming |
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Origin |
The African Wild Dog is considered an endangered
species. They can be found in Africa south of the Sahara Desert in areas of
semi-desert to mountainous and in zoos. |
Group |
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Recognition |
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African Wild Dogs in their natural habit.
Photos taken in the Okawango Delta in Botswana in 1998
Photo Courtesy of Bernadette
Photo Courtesy of Bernadette
Photo Courtesy of Bernadette
Photo Courtesy of Bernadette
Photo Courtesy of Bernadette
African Wild Dog Pictures 1
African Wild Dog Pictures 2
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