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African hunting dog
Lycaon pictus
Animal facts
African hunting dogs are social, communally hunting carnivores, which live in small cohesive packs typically composed of a dominant breeding pair, a number of non-breeding adults, and their dependent offspring.
For most of the year, they roam around over the plains and in the bush, usually not staying in the same place for more than a day, with movements generally correlating to hunting success. If prey is scarce, the pack may traverse its entire home range in 2-3 days, covering up to 31 miles per day.
African hunting dogs are specialised pack hunters. Hunts take place in the morning and early evening and prey is apparently located by sight, approached silently, and then pursued at speeds of up to 41 mph for up to 1 hour.
Where they live
Africa - from the Sahara Desert up into the lower forests of Mt. Kilimanjaro
Habitat
Short-grass plains, semi-desert, bushy savannahs, upland forest and open woodland
What they eat
Wild dogs mostly hunt medium-sized antelope, with the preferred species varying according to the most abundant prey species in the area.
IUCN status
Endangered
Conservation work
Carnivores and people conservation
