African Wild Dog

Lore & Background

In an African wild dog pack, males assist in raising the pups and stay with their pack for life. Females leave their birth pack at approximately 2.5 years old to join another pack without females. Males outnumber the females in a pack. The dogs are not territorial, and hunt cooperatively in their packs—running down large game and tearing it apart together. They also cooperate in caring for wounded, sick, and young pack members.

In Their Own Story

A pack of African wild dogs moves silently through the savanna. The males, who will stay with this pack for life, flank the females. The females left their birth packs at about 2.5 years old to join this group, where males outnumber them. Spotting a large antelope, the pack coordinates without a sound. They run it down as a unit, tearing it apart together. Later, back at the den, they share the kill, caring for the wounded, sick, and young members of the pack.

Reader's Guide

African wild dogs (*Lycaon pictus*) are classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Their social structure is a highly cooperative pack. They are carnivores specialized in hunting antelope, and their habitat is savannas and open woodlands. Conservation efforts focus on protecting these pack-hunting canids and their cooperative social bonds, which are essential for their survival.

Did You Know?

• African wild dog males assist in raising the pups and stay with their pack for life.
• Females leave their birth pack at approximately 2.5 years old to join another pack without females.
• Males outnumber the females in an African wild dog pack.
• African wild dogs are not territorial.
• They cooperate in caring for wounded, sick, and young pack members.