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Quiz about African Wild Dogs Are Amazing
Quiz about African Wild Dogs Are Amazing

African Wild Dogs Are Amazing! Quiz


On a recent trip to the zoo, my young grandson snubbed the rhino - which he agreed was pretty cool - for what? The African wild dogs! They were basking in the warm sunshine, and I am sure he thought they kind of looked like a favorite pet!

A photo quiz by ponycargirl. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
ponycargirl
Time
4 mins
Type
Photo Quiz
Quiz #
397,202
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
510
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 68 (4/10), katyrose (6/10), Bpriz (4/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Which of the following is NOT a way that African wild dogs are different from the other members of the canine family? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Which of the following is another name for the African wild dog? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Scientists believe that the coat of the African wild dog serves as a type of camouflage.


Question 4 of 10
4. What is the usual favorite meal of an African wild dog? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Initially, when African wild dogs were scientifically classified, an incorrect assumption was made. What was it? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Scientists believe that African wild dogs were genetically mixed with what other wild dog? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Only the male members of a pack of African wild dogs do the hunting.


Question 8 of 10
8. Which of the following is dominant in the hierarchy of a pack of African wild dogs, especially as far as breeding is concerned? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. A reflex action in humans, in what surprising way do African wild dogs communicate? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. African wild dogs are described as being crepuscular. What does that mean? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Which of the following is NOT a way that African wild dogs are different from the other members of the canine family?

Answer: They live and hunt in packs.

While they are members of the Canidae family, there are many physical differences between African wild dogs and their relatives. An African wild dog's legs are proportionally longer than other types of canines, and they are consequently able to run at a speed of about 44 miles per hour; on average, domesticated canines can run about 19 miles per hour. The muzzle of an African wild dog is shorter than his relatives' muzzles, and he has 40 teeth while they have 42. On the African wild dog's forefeet are four toes rather than five, with two of the forepads being joined together on most of the animals.

Like wolves and feral dogs, African wild dogs live in packs. Some sources claim that they are the most social of all canines, roaming in packs of 6-20+ members. Within each pack there is an hierarchy system of power that is strictly followed.
2. Which of the following is another name for the African wild dog?

Answer: Painted hunting dog

Actually, there are several different names by which the African wild dog is known, including painted wolf, African hunting dog, Cape hunting dog and African painted dog. Some scientists would prefer that we call him the painted wolf, as the name painted hunting dog, for example, implies that the African wild dog behaves like a domestic dog.

The use of "wild" or "wolf" in the name should lead one to understand that the painted hunting dog is a wild animal. And - contrary to the belief of some - the African wild dog is not just a feral animal like a street dog or a stray.
3. Scientists believe that the coat of the African wild dog serves as a type of camouflage.

Answer: True

Each African wild dog has a uniquely-patterned coat. This, of course, makes it easy for members of the pack, as well as scientists, to distinguish one from another. It is typical for each animal to have patches of red, black, brown, white, and yellow fur. These colors enable African wild dogs to blend in with their usual habitat, which consists of savannas and sometimes even drier areas.

Why is it important for African wild dogs to blend in with their environment? Besides humans, the animal which presents the most danger to them is the lion; it is not, however, due to the fact that the lion thinks that an African wild dog makes a tasty meal! It is because they typically compete for the same type of food. Scientists have found that there are usually fewer African wild dogs in an area that has a large lion population.
4. What is the usual favorite meal of an African wild dog?

Answer: Antelope

Members of the bovine family, such as wildebeest and other antelope (impala, kudu, gazelle), are the favorite food of the African wild dog. The pack will chase their prey (they can run up to 35 miles an hour for three miles) until it gets tired and then simply tear it apart.

Another option is to chase their prey toward water, which most animals already fear. It may choose to jump right in to the water, but usually panic sets in, making it an easy target for the pack. African wild dogs are such good hunters that it is estimated that their hunts are about 80% successful.

They also will eat rodents and birds. Although some farmers feel that African wild dogs could be a threat to their domesticated animals, they are not typically known to attack livestock unless they are desperate for food.
5. Initially, when African wild dogs were scientifically classified, an incorrect assumption was made. What was it?

Answer: They were related to hyenas.

In 1820 Coenraad Temminck, a Dutch zoologist, was the first to scientifically describe African wild dogs, giving them the scientific name "Hyaena picta". Seven years later Joshua Brookes, a British scientist, renamed them "Lycaon tricolor". Their modern binomial name, "Lycaon pictus", literally means "painted wolf".

The only interaction observed between hyenas and African wild dogs today seems to be competition over kills. Hyenas will eat whatever the pack leaves behind, and also will attempt to steal pieces of meat while the group is concentrating on eating; African wild dogs, however, are much better at coordinating group efforts than hyenas.
6. Scientists believe that African wild dogs were genetically mixed with what other wild dog?

Answer: Dhole

The earliest fossil evidence of the African wild dog found so far was discovered in Israel. Dating to approximately 200,000 years ago, it is one of a very few early fossils that have been found of "Lycaon pictus". Even though the two species live far apart today - the dhole is found in India, China, and southeast Asia, and the African wild dog lives mostly south of the Sahara in Africa - scientists believe that modern whole genome sequencing suggests that the two occupied the same habitat, possibly in North Africa, at one time and interbred.
7. Only the male members of a pack of African wild dogs do the hunting.

Answer: False

The members of a pack of African wild dogs seem to cooperate and do everything together. African wild dogs are great at planning a hunt. Some will run close to the prey, while others hold back. Then they change places with each other as members get tired.

They are so efficient that a medium-sized prey can be brought down in 2-5 minutes. All members of the group get to participate in the meal after a hunt - even the ones who did not help with the hunt. Once the pups are able to eat meat on their own they eat first while the others stand guard.
8. Which of the following is dominant in the hierarchy of a pack of African wild dogs, especially as far as breeding is concerned?

Answer: Alpha pair

A pack of African wild dogs generally consists of 6-20+ individuals; the alpha breeding couple, a monogamous pair, leads the group and typically is the only pair to breed. While there may be a beta breeding couple in the group, their pups are usually killed. The beta pair is ready, however, to step up and lead the pack if something happens to the alpha pair. As many as 15 puppies can be born in one litter, and it is the responsibility of the entire pack to help take care of them. Both males and females take turns babysitting the pups and all members of the group regurgitate food for the young to eat until they are ready to join in the hunt. The pack even helps take care of members that are old or hurt.

In a litter of African wild dogs, there are, on the average, twice as many males born as females. Interestingly, the males will stay with the group, but the females leave when they are old enough to breed. This practice helps to prevent inbreeding in the pack.
9. A reflex action in humans, in what surprising way do African wild dogs communicate?

Answer: Sneezing

There are a variety of ways that African wild dogs communicate with each other, such as touching and tail wagging. They also make several types of sounds. A short bark usually serves as an alarm, while a howl will rally the pack. Sneezing consists of exhaling through the nostrils.

For example, three sneezes from a dominant dog will mean "let's leave". If other members of the pack sneeze first, it is up to the others to decide if they want to follow.
10. African wild dogs are described as being crepuscular. What does that mean?

Answer: They hunt in the twilight between dawn and dusk.

African wild dogs are crepuscular because they are most active in the twilight times of dawn and dusk. They may also hunt at other times, however, if the day is especially overcast and it isn't too hot. Why do they hunt at this time? That is the time when their favorite prey is out and about. Because African wild dogs locate their prey by sight, it has to be light enough for them to see.
Source: Author ponycargirl

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor NatalieW before going online.
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