The African wild dog
The African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), is commonly known as the African painted dog and the African hunting dog is a sub-Saharan African native canine. It is Africa's largest wild canine and the only extant member of the genus Lycaon, which is characterized by Canis by highly specialized dentition for a hypercarnivorous diet and a lack of dewclaws. About 6,600 adults (including 1,400 mature individuals) are estimated to dwell in 39 subpopulations, all of which are endangered by habitat fragmentation, human persecution, and disease outbreaks. The African wild dog has been categorized as endangered on the IUCN Red List since 1990, owing to the fact that the biggest subpopulation likely consists of fewer than 250 individuals.
The African wild dog prefers savanna and dry environments and avoids forested areas. This predilection is most likely related to the animal's hunting activities, which necessitate open environments with no obstructions to eyesight or hamper pursuit. Nonetheless, in search of prey, it will wander across scrub, woodland, and montane environments. There are forest-dwelling populations of African wild dogs, including one in the Harenna Forest, a wet montane forest up to 2,400 m (7,900 ft) in altitude in Ethiopia's Bale Mountains. At least one sighting of a pack on Mount Kilimanjaro's top survives. The species has been observed at heights of 1,800 m in Zimbabwe (5,900 ft). This species has been seen at high altitudes in Ethiopia; many live wild dog packs have been sighted at elevations ranging from 1,900 to 2,800 m, and a dead individual was discovered in June 1995 at 4,050 m (13,290 ft) on the Sanetti Plateau.
The African wild dogs, according to Garreth, are excellent hunters who can take down game much larger than themselves. Antelopes, zebras, and even elephants are among their favored prey. They employ a hunting method termed "leapfrogging." When one dog gets tired of chasing the prey, another dog takes over. This procedure is repeated until the prey is weary and the dogs are able to capture it. The African wild dog, like other canids, regurgitates food for its young, but it also does it for adults as part of the pack's social life. The young are allowed to feed on carcasses first.
