Montana State University Mammalogy Article Wildlife News ■ November 20, 2020 The African Wild Dog: What is it? Diet: v Gazelles and After the Gray Wolf Scientific Name: Lycaon pictus Antelope (Canis lupus), African v Wildebeest Wild Dogs are the Class: Mammalia v Small mammals second largest wild and rodents Order: Carnivora canid in existence Rounded v Birds Family: Canidae ears Since African wild dogs Shoulder height No two wild dogs will Can live up to 10-12 are in the family of have the same coat 29.5 - 43” (75-110cm) pattern or markings. years in the wild! Canidae, they are related to The white markings domestic dogs, wolves, are unique for each jackals, foxes, and other individual. close relatives. Head and body length Pack life: v African Wild Dogs 30 – 56” (75-141 cm) live in family groups 39.5 – 79 pounds called packs v Typically 6 – 20 on average individuals Weight v Led by a dominate African Wild Dogs “alpha” pair, African Wild subordinate adults, are built for Dogs in the endurance and can yearlings, and pups southern portion maintain speeds of of the continent 35 – 37 mph tend to be larger Habitat than in the north. Long African Wild Dogs are very African Wild Legs expressive animals that use a Dogs only wide variety of vocalizations have 4 toes to communicate with each on each paw other. African Wild Only Dogs short grass ! Species Status plains to sub- The species has been The African Wild Dog is listed as an Endangered Species canid to Saharan forests extirpated from under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and wild have 40 and woodland approximately 93% of populations are threatened by habitat loss, poaching, and teeth habitats their historic range. predation from other predators or wild dogs. Designed by Maeve Tuley Sources: African Wild Dog https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/african-wild-dog