Anatomy of an...
African wild dog
Also known as Cape hunting or painted dogs, these highly intelligent hunters are becoming increasingly endangered
Colouration
The scientific name, Lycaon pictus, is an amalgamation of the Greek for wolf and the Latin for painted, reflecting the animal’s characteristics and irregular patterning in shades of red, brown, black and white. Each wild dog has its own unique markings and the multi-colours help it to blend into its dappled scrubland background. The white tips on their bushy tail helps pack members keep in touch in long grass.
Reproduction Within a pack, only the highest ranking male and female will breed. The female will have a litter of between two and 20 pups, which the whole pack will take a share in feeding and protecting. Pups are allowed to feed first at a kill and nursing mothers left behind at the den will be served regurgitated food.
Stomach Food passes through the oesophagus to a large stomach and extra-long intestine. This length helps the animal to absorb as much moisture as possible from the food. This means that wild dogs can survive for longer periods than other mammals without a regular water supply.
Ears The disproportionately big, erect ears act as sound collectors, helping a wild dog to keep in touch with the calls of its pack over vast distances. Pack members make a variety of sounds, from greeting rituals involving whining and jibbering to short alarm barks, prolonged howls and a bell-like contact call that travels for miles. The large surface area of the ears also helps the animal to lose heat.