Canine Carnivores - Wild Dog (Wildehond)

Wild Dog (Wildehond) in Southern Africa

Lycaon pictus

The wild dog's coat has a unique colour pattern of white, black and yellowish brown spots. Wild dogs differ from other dog species because it is exclusively flesh eating and has only four toes on each of its forefeet (Dogs have 5). It is easily recognised by the big rounded ears, long legs and bushy white tail. A full grown male will reach an approximate height of 75 cm at the shoulder and a mass of between 23 and 28 kilograms.

Wild dogs typically live and hunt in packs. Their young are born in litters of about 12 and are cared for by the whole pack.

They hunt mammals as large as zebra and wildebeest, but most often they prey on medium sized antelope.