African wild dogs weigh 40 to 79 pounds with males slightly heavier than females. They are 30 to 43 inches in length and stand 24 to 30 inches at shoulder height with females slightly larger. African wild dogs only have four toes, while domestic dogs and wolves have five.
They have large bat-like ears and a bushy tail with a white tip, which may serve as a flag to keep the pack in contact while hunting.
Wild dogs are social and gather in packs of around ten individuals, but some packs number more than 40. African wild dogs are incredibly social animals and are constantly communicating with one another through touch, tail wags and a variety of vocalizations.
They are opportunistic predators that hunt medium-sized ruminants, such as gazelles. In a sprint, African wild dogs can reach speeds of more than 44 miles per hour.
These days, African wild dogs typically roam the open plains and sparse woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa. Their largest populations can be found in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique.
African wild dog
