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| Animal Behavior |
| WILD DOG |
| ORDER | FAMILY | Scientific name |
| Carnivora | Canidae | Lycaon pictus (Temmink,1820) |
| HABITAT | Abundant prey, permanent water and a low concentration of lion and heyena, are the ideal conditions for Wild Dogs. |
| HABITS | They are gregarious animals, and leave in packs of up to
30 individuals, each one of them, except for the pups, cooperating on the hunt. The prey is chased by the pack, savaged on the flanks and rump, while still running, and eventually pulled down. While still alive, the prey is torn apart by the pack, each individual taking as much meat as he can. When they return to the den, meat is regurgitated to feed the pups, with all members of the pack assisting to feed the young. They very reluctant to venture into water, where they easily fell prey to crocodiles. This reluctance, often helps the animal they pursue, to escape. |
| DIET | They normally prey on small antelope, like Impala, but are also capable of killing Zebra, Kudu, Waterbuk and Wildbeest. They do not scavenge. |
| BREEDING | Normally only one female in the pack is mated by all the
adult males, at one time. After a gestation period of 70 days, 2 to 8 puppies are born, in the dry season, normally in a underground cave or den. They stay near the den for about 9 months, after which they will start going with the adults. |
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