Unique Facts

The African Wild Dog has many aliases including the Hunting Dog, Cape Hunting Dog and is also known as the Painted Dog, due to the unique artistic patterns along their body. Their scientific name, Lycaon pictus, is Latin and means painted wolf.

•Of the 39 African countries known to have had populations of dogs in the past, only 6 now hold significant numbers

•In each African Wild Dog family there is a dominant male and female. In most cases, only the dominant male and female are permitted to reproduce

•As wild dogs grow older, they go bald! Elderly wild dogs can be easily identified by large, dark bald patches over their body

•Wild Dogs provide ample space around a carcass for family members. Pups are provided with regurgitated food from any animal within the pack and injured or ill members are also given easy access to food without discrimination

Wild Dog Photos

Circulatory System

There is nothing special for the African Wild Dog's circulatory system. It remains the same as most other mammals.

Respiratory System

The African Wild Dog has the same respiratory system that is shared with most mammals. (aka Lungs).

Diet

Wild dogs prey on gazelles, antelopes, warthogs, wildebeest calves, rats and birds.

Wild dogs trying to defend their territory from hyenas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDdi1V3iij4&feature=related

Nervous or Sensory Systems

The African wild dog has large, rounded ears, which help with heat loss as well as keeping track of pack members by picking up long distance vocal signals.

Reproduction

• Gestation period is 72 days
• Possibility of 12 pups at a time
• Born black and white spotted
• Only the Alpha pair are permitted to reproduce

Skeletal/Muscle System

Here's something unusual, the African Wild Dog's skeleton is more closely related to a raccoon than a dog.

 

They are also thin and muscular. 

African Wild Dog Classification

Scientific Name: Lycaon pictus

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Family: Canidae

Genus: Lycaon

Species: pictus