Wild Dogs

Common Name:   Cape Wild Dog
Binomial Name:   Lycaon pictus pictus
Identification:   Heavily blotched black, white and yellow-brown coat. Slender body. Long legs. White-tipped tail. Large, dark, rounded ears. Black muzzle, with a dark stripe between the eyes.
Weight:   Males +/- 25 kg (55 lbs), females +/- 25 kg (55 lbs)
Gestation:   2-3 months
Young:   Litter of 2-10 pups
Habitat:   As they hunt by sight, usually associated with open country. They avoid dense woodland, forest and extensive areas of tall grass.
Diet:   Wide variety of mammals, ranging in size from Steenbok to buffalo. They will also take rodents, hares and birds. Impala is the most important prey species in the greater Kruger National Park area.
Red List Status:   Endangered
Notes:   Often referred to as the “painted wolves” of Africa.