Scientific name: Lycaon pictus
IUCN status: Endangered
Habitat: Sub-Saharan Africa to South Africa,
except for West and Central African rainforests- savannah,
plains, swamps, semi-desert, mountains up to 3,000m
Diet: Carnivore - gazelle, impala, zebra,
wildebeest, hares, rodents, other small animals Also known
as African wild or painted dogs (the scientific name means
'painted wolf'), African hunting dogs have unique coat markings,
making them easily identifiable within packs. They are endangered
because they compete for prey with larger carnivores such
as lions and spotted hyenas over a wide territory. They
are also killed by livestock herders and game hunters and
blighted by canine distemper and parvo virus.
Did you know? The whole pack of African
hunting dogs takes care of its pups and allows them to feed
first, even before the dominant breeding pair |
