Wild dogs are the only canines in Africa that ʜᴜɴᴛ primarily for food. The phrase “painted dog” refers to the very distinctive pattern of fur that covers their body and is wonderful shades of brown, wʜɪᴛe, black, and tan. They are around the size of Labrador retrievers and weigh 20 to 25 kg.
Their primary ᴍᴇᴛʜod of ʜᴜɴᴛing relies on the ability to go large distances at high speeds without expending excessive energy. Despite being taller than one may originally think, they are relatively light in weight because of their lean build.
ʜᴜɴᴛing has a significant role in how they engage with one another. Wild dogs are master ʜᴜɴᴛers with higher success rates than other African predators. They use intricate flanking and chasing strategies, one of which entails rotating who leads the pursuit while others wait. As a result, they are able to run for tens of kilometers without feeling exhausted. It is also common knowledge that wild dogs start eating their prey while it is still alive.
Although it can seem cruel, this is really done to give them a better chance of eating before larger predators chase them away from their prey. Wild dogs are territorial animals. By peeing and defecating there and leaving behind scents that other wild dogs will be able to identify, the dominant breeding pair is in charge of defining the borders of the pack’s territory.
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Let’s watch How Young Waterbuck Escape From ᴀᴛᴛᴀᴄᴋs Of Hungry Wild Dogs And Ferocious Hippos in the video below:
Source: Savanna Private Game Reserve