# African wild dog (*Lycaon pictus*) African wild dogs are colorful and social animals that live in packs. They are known for their playful nature and teamwork when hunting for food. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Habitat:** Savannas - **Also known as:** African Hunting Dog, Painted Wolf ![African wild dog](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Lycaon_pictus.jpg&width=800) Photo: Peter Ruckstuhl at German Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lycaon_pictus.jpg) ## Appearance The African wild dog has a unique coat of irregular, patchy markings in black, white, and yellow-brown, different on each individual. They possess large, rounded ears that are very distinctive. Their slender bodies and long legs are adapted for running. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Canidae - **Genus:** Lycaon ## Interesting facts - African wild dogs 'sneeze' to vote if the pack should hunt or rest! - These amazing hunters share their meals, even regurgitating food for pups and injured adults! - They use a variety of sounds, including hoots and growls, to talk to each other! - Wild dogs can run almost silently, allowing them to sneak up on unsuspecting prey! ## Special abilities - **Teamwork Tactic:** African wild dogs can hunt in large groups, chasing prey until exhausted, because teamwork gives them high success rates. - **Endurance Runner:** The African wild dog has incredible stamina that helps them pursue prey for long distances, making them deadly hunters. - **Sonic Ears:** African wild dogs have large, round ears that help them hear faint sounds of prey or pack members from far away. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 75-110 cm - **Weight:** 18-36 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-12 years - **Speed:** 70 km/h - **Litter Size:** 6-12 - **Gestation:** 69-73 days ## Diet & Feeding These expert hunters work together to catch and eat medium-sized animals. - **Primary Foods:** antelope, warthogs, gazelles, hares - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Greater Kudu](https://www.snappit.app/explore/greater-kudu) (*Tragelaphus strepsiceros*) — A common prey item for wild dog packs. - **Hunts:** [Impala](https://www.snappit.app/explore/impala) (*Aepyceros melampus*) — Often chased by wild dogs due to their speed. - **Hunts:** Warthog (*Phacochoerus africanus*) — An important food source for wild dog packs. - **Eaten by:** Lion (*Panthera leo*) — Lions often steal wild dog kills and sometimes kill wild dogs. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Savanna](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/savanna): This habitat trait denotes species native to savannas, which are grasslands with scattered trees, typically found in tropical or subtropical regions with distinct wet and dry seasons. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Always watch from a distance and never try to approach wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify African wild dog? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is African wild dog? 75-110 cm ### How much does African wild dog weigh? 18-36 kg ### How long does African wild dog live? 10-12 years ### How fast can African wild dog move? 70 km/h ### What does African wild dog eat? These expert hunters work together to catch and eat medium-sized animals. ### Where is African wild dog usually found? Savannas ### How does African wild dog hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Binder Park Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/binder-park-zoo) — Michigan, US · Zoo ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [African wild dog: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/african-wild-dog)