In Swahili it is referred to as ‘Mbwa mwilu’. The African Wild Dog (also known as the Painted Dog and the Cape Hunting Dog) is a medium sized species of canine found across sub-Saharan Africa. The average lifespan of a dog is 10-14 years. The extremely social nature of wild dogs is reflected in the maintenance of physical contact or relatively short inter-individual distances while resting. It is then called the African wild dog, African hunting dog, Cape Hunting dog, painted dog etc. The young are looked after by the whole pack. For starters, they are not dogs, or wolves – read What’s in a name.They are critically endangered, with only about 5,000 to 6,000 adults left in the wild, and sightings of these graceful predators are rare outside of specific areas. Adult dogs have 42 teeth. One of the most common wild dogs is the African Wild Dog, which roams the plains of Africa. The entire African wild dog pack shares responsibility for protecting the cubs, with both males and females babysitting the young. Anouk Zijlma. African Background. “African wild dog” is scientifically known as “Lycaon pictus” which is a canid found only in Africa. The scientific name for the African Wild dog means “painted wolf”. Only the alpha male and alpha female in the pack will mate. Being the largest continent on the planet and encompassing a large variety of cultures and people, there is rich diversity in parenting traditions. In a sprint, African wild dogs can reach speeds of more than 44 miles per hour. 2) An African Wild Dog’s Spotted Coat is Unique. The African Wild Dog is known by other names such as the Painted Hunting Dog, African Hunting Dog, Cape Hunting Dog and Painted Wolf. The difference in the degree of sociality in wild dogs and wolves appears to be reflected in resting patterns. The African Wild Dog is most easily identified from both domestic and other wild Dogs by their brightly mottled fur, with its name in Latin aptly meaning painted wolf. The young are looked after by the whole pack. Pack sizes that fall below 6 have trouble hunting successfully and pack sizes exceeding 20 usually break apart to form new packs. They live in packs and hunt animals for food. African wild dogs have litters of 2 – 20 puppies. Wild dogs are social and gather in packs of around ten individuals, but some packs number more than 40. African wild dogs have huge home ranges and are constant wanderers. After mating the female will carry the pups in her body for a period of 2 ½ months before they are born. ... African Wild Dog Facts These Amazing Webcams Take You on a Virtual Safari 59 endearing names for baby animals From keets and codlings to porcupettes and puggles, many animals have oddly specific — and often adorable — names as babies. The African wild dog has between 6 and 26 pups, which is the largest litter of any canid. Unlike human infants, wild babies have to adapt quickly to life in the bush. This closeness to Canis may have been confirmed in a menagerie in Madras, where according to zoologist Reginald Pocock there is a record of a dhole interbred with a golden jackal. The mother stays with the pups and drives away other pack members until the pups can eat … Wild dogs tend to shy away from areas dominated by lion and hyaena. The scientific name is derived from Greek word for “wolf” and the Latin word for “painted”. African wild dogs live in Africa, and their numbers are greatest in the South and South-East of the continent. The most popular breed of pet dog is the Labrador. The African wild dog is known by many names, including Cape hunting dog or painted dog. No two wild dogs have the same markings, which makes them easily identifiable as individuals. They are opportunistic predators that hunt medium-sized ruminants, such as gazelles. Amazing Facts About the African Wild Dog. There are an estimated 450 - 500 wild dogs in Kruger, so seeing them is a matter of luck. Populations of these supremely well-adapted predators are being devastated. No two wild dogs have the same markings, which makes them easily identifiable as individuals. African Wild Dogs live in packs, comprised of related females, related males, and pups, with a very unique social structure. African Wild Dog Reproduction. Find the perfect name for your hunting companion! Similar to other great African animals with distinct coat patterns, no two wild dogs have the same spotted patterns—these are unique to individual wild dogs and help members within the pack distinguish between one another. The scientific name for the African Wild dog means “painted wolf”. Fun Facts About Africa's Baby Safari Animals. Pack sizes usually range from 6-20 animals but have been observed with numbers as high as 27 and as low as 2. Facts about dogs for kids. African names represent ancestral meanings from the first tribes on the planet to modern day societies. Dogs can see in the dark much better than humans can. Lions The African wild dog is no match physically for this feline, a species that also lives in groups and hunts in packs for the most part. Painted wolves (African wild dogs) are not as well known as Africa’s other predators, and certainly misunderstood.