Wild Dog

Spirit of Africa Safari

Wild Dog

Discover the world of the Wild Dog โ€” habitat, behaviour, and conservation status in Tanzania.

Habitat

savanna

Weight

18 to 36 kg

Population

over 2,300

Diet

carnivore

Lifespan

10 to 12 years

Scientific Name

Lycaon Pictus

IUCN Status

EN ยท Endangered

African wild dogs, also known as painted wolves, live and hunt in packs. They have a unique social structure, with a dominant breeding pair and a highly cooperative pack dynamic. Their mottled coats are a patchwork of black, brown, yellow, and white, each pattern unique to the individual.

Wild dogs are exceptional hunters with a success rate far higher than that of lions and leopards. Their hunts are highly organized, with the pack working together to chase down and exhaust their prey.