I captured these Wild Dogs at the London Zoo. You will realize as you view the video what wonderful creatures the Wild Dogs are.. They have such beautiful colour combinations with differant patterns on each one of them. I was lucky enough to take some amazing shots of them while they were being fed.
They have the facility to run for a long stretch inside the pen so that they could be as if in real life in the jungles. This made me really happy since the Zoo had provided them with the best facilities.
I thoroughly enjoyed these animals and they became included in my list of favourite animals. I wanted to shorten it as much as possible but this was the maximum I could do it.. I hope you would not be disappointed.
African Wild Dog
============
Common names:
African hunting dog, Cape hunting dog,
Painted hunting dog, Painted wolf, Spotted dog , African Wild Hunting Dog ,Painted Dog , Tri-colored Dog
Scientific Name: Lycaon pictus
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
=======================
These dogs are similar in size and shape to medium-large domestic dogs, but they are only distantly related to other canids. Their mottled coloring and large rounded ears make them unmistakable. The muzzle is black and the forehead has a black line in the middle of it. The large head resembles that of a hyena. Legs are long and slender. The feet have only four toes, and no dewclaws. The tail has a white plume at the tip
No two dogs have identical coat patterns of white, black and tan; yet close relatives are recognizably similar in coloration. The body length is about 40 inches with a 12-16 inch tail. Animals weigh a maximum of 66 pounds. Males are slightly larger than females, and animals from Southern Africa are slightly larger than their northern relatives.
DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT:
======================
African Wild Dogs are savanna inhabitants and their normal range is from south of the Sahara Desert except in forested areas.
Each with a dominant breeding pair that remain monogamous for life. These gregarious animals are co-operative hunters, relying on sight rather than smell to pinpoint their prey. Hunts tend to occur at dawn and dusk, but on occasion the dogs will venture out if there is a full moon. They chase until their prey tires, reaching speeds up to 55 kmph, and sometimes disemboweling prey it while it is still running.
BEHAVIOR:
=========
African Wild Dogs are very social animals that live in packs of 5-20 individuals; rarely as many as 60. They fill the ecological role or niche of the wolf in Africa. One of the most efficient of all predators, they do not hesitate to attack small hares or large zebras. They specialize in preying on medium-sized antelope including Thomson's gazelle, impala, kob, lechwe and springbok. This species does not hunt in relays but rather depends on endurance that is greater than their prey. They can run at about 35 m.p.h. for 3 miles or more.
They hunt mainly around dawn and dusk because they rely on sight when hunting. The pack will hunt at least once a day. If there are youngsters present at the kill, the adults will allow them to eat first unlike lions. They do not defend territories except in the vicinity of occupied dens. Only the dominant breeding pair urine mark. There is very little overt aggression among pack members. The social arrangement is extraordinary because they are the exact opposite of those in most other social mammals such as lions and elephants.
African Wild Dogs rarely live in the wild beyond 9-10 years.
DIET:
====
They hunt cooperatively which sometimes allows them to bring down their prey in seconds. Prey may be consumed in a few seconds, sometimes while the animal is still alive.
African Wild Dogs are exclusively carnivorous. They eat no plant food, and rarely consume carrion or return to an earlier kill.
STATUS:
======
The African wild dog is listed by the IUCN as threatened by extinction. They are nearly as endangered as the black rhino and they are still persecuted by farmers and hunters. Fewer than 5,000 dogs remain and because they need vast home ranges, it makes conservation difficult.
Wild population: 3,500 to maximum of 5,500
Captive population worldwide: 452 (according to ISIS* Abstracts, September 30, 2000)
African Wild Dog Conservancy
http://www.awdconservancy.org/
Painted Dog Conservation
http://www.painteddog.org/
Loading...
11:34
The Pack: Wild Dogs Part 1by Mrjohn553317,893 views
cool it shows us about them O.O
LitiumLuv 4 months ago
@LitiumLuv Thank you very much for your visit and comments ..All the best..
lmmsl 4 months ago
Amazing animals for sure. Kinda sad to see the way the act in captivity compared to in the wild though. Cool vid though!
Blazerfb 5 months ago
@Blazerfb Thanks a lot for your visit and kind comments..All the best..
lmmsl 5 months ago
from Brasil : Amei este video !! ( Love this video !! ) Congratulations! Thank you , very much ! Eles são magníficos animais ! Muito boa a informação sobre eles , e aprendemos mais , para entender e amar todos que convivem conosco no Planeta Terra...Obrigada , mais uma vez .Saúde e Prosperidade !
IARAMESSIAS 9 months ago
@IARAMESSIAS Hi dear,Yes, these Dogs are amazing .. Many thanks for your visit and kind comments.I am glad if you enjoyed my video and wish you peace ,love and happiness always ....
God Bless you !!!
lmmsl 9 months ago