African Wild Dogs Are Amazing! Quiz

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.