African Wild Dog

[Twigga]

Grant Beverley from EWT was on 50/50 this week where they have collared two of the
pack members of the Biyamiti wild dog pack

So interesting, channel 192 Sabc 2

Will try and post a link of this insert

[nan]

yes please

[Flutterby]

We saw him in Kruger again this time, but unfortunately no doggies.

[Twigga]

African Wild Dog

Lycaon pictus

Average life span in the wild: Up to 11 years
Size:29.5 to 43 in (75 to 110 cm)
Weight:39.5 to 79 lbs (18 to 36 kg)
Protection status:Endangered

The scientific name for the African Wild dog means “painted wolf”. No two wild dogs have the same markings, which makes them easily identifiable as individuals. These long-legged canines have only four toes per foot, unlike other dogs, which have five toes on their forefeet.

African wild dogs live in packs that are usually dominated by a monogamous breeding pair. The female has a litter of 2 to 20 pups

Pups that are old enough to eat solid food are given priority at a kill, even over the dominant pair. The dogs have a peculiar rather playful ceremony that bonds them for a common purpose and initiates each hunt. They start circulating among the other pack members, vocalizing and touching until they get excited and are ready to hunt.

African wild dogs are intelligent and cooperative hunters. Some of the dogs run close to the prey while the others fall behind. They then take over when the front members tire.When feeding, they lack aggression towards each other and share the kill; even with members who may not have been involved in the actual hunt

The dogs supplement their diet with rodents and birds. Wild dogs are endangered. They are faced with shrinking room to roam in their African home. They are also quite susceptible to diseases spread by domestic animals.

*One kind
*National Geographic

[Toko]

How to identify alpha pair in a wild dog pack?



Alpha pair of the Orpen pack in Kruger



Alpha female



When the alpha female urinates, the alpha male will urinate over (cover) the same place raising a hind leg to do so. Such behaviour, known as Raised Leg Urination (RLU) is only shown by alpha males.

[nan]

great choice
not so much work... didn't saw a lot

[nan]

Bume Road 2.3.2008
"only" 4-5 dogs... at 3 m. from me

[Toko]

Wanna play? - Click here:

[Twigga]

Afsaal pack - December 2010

[Toko]

The estimated wild dog population in Kruger National Park is at around 130 individuals, while South Africa’s population is estimated to number 450.
EWT has a wild dod census for August 2014 in Kruger on the cards.
Source