African wild dog facts
African wild dogs are among the most efficient hunters in Africa.
It is when they hunt that the important role of the pack becomes very clear.
They hunt by day, usually in the early morning or evening and occasionally in the moonlight.
What methods do African wild dogs use to hunt their prey?
They rely on their phenomenal stamina to tire their prey and the combined strength of the pack to bring the prey down.
Often they make no attempt at concealment and approach potential prey openly at a slow trot.
You will notice how they will keep their heads low and ears back.
They will break into a run only when the prey flees.
They may rush a herd into flight and then stand watching to identify potential members of the herd that is slower than the rest.
The leading dog, which is usually the dominant male or female will selects a particular target and pursues it in a very single-minded manner.
The rest of the pack will follow in lines behind the leader.
What prey do they prefer to hunt?
Statistics indicate that kills in the Kruger National Park consists of 8% Kudu, 75% impala and 15% smaller antelope.
In Southern Africa they do not hunt adult wildebeest and zebra.
In Hwange National Park their diet consists of 54% impala and 23% kudu.
It can happen that one of the other dogs chooses a different prey and so lead some of the dogs on another chase.
In this case the pack splits up and multiple kills may be made.
Wild dog hunting tactics
They may rush a herd into flight and then stand watching to identify potential members of the herd that is slower than the rest.
The leading dog, which is usually the dominant male or female will selects a particular target and pursues it in a very single-minded manner.
The rest of the pack will follow in lines behind the leader.
Wild dogs can reach speeds of 60 kilometers per hour during the chase.
This is too slow to catch a medium-sized antelope during a short sprint chase.
Instead they depend on their stamina in long pursuits to wear down the prey.
Most chases cover 3-5 km pursuits to wear down the prey.
African wild dogs hunting sucess rate
Statistics indicate that the prey has only ten to thirty percent chances of escaping from African wild dog hunting expeditions.
This compares to a six to eight in ten chance of evading an attack by lions or hyenas.
As soon as the dog catches up with the prey it will pull it down if it is small enough.
In the case of larger prey, it will run alongside and slash at its rump to slow it down until more dogs catch up.
The dogs then bite chunks out of the prey and disembowel it.
The prey then dies of shock and loss of blood.
What prey do African wild dogs like to hunt?
African wild dogs play an important role in eliminating sick and weak animals amongst their target prey species.
They are specialized hunters of medium sized antelope in the 15-50 kilogram range like springbok and impala.
They will also take animals such as small as hares and occasionally warthogs and foxes.
They very rarely scavenge.
Statistics indicate that kills in the Kruger National Park consists of 8% Kudu, 75% impala and 15% smaller antelope.
In Southern Africa they do not hunt adult wildebeest and zebra. In Hwange National Park their diet consists of 54% impala and 23% kudu.
What do we know about their feeding habits?
Speed is of the essence when they feed to avoid the kill being stolen.
They sometimes face intense competition from spotted hyenas that will team up with one another to pusg the dogs aside.
A pack of wild dogs is usually able to keep hyenas at bay because some of the dogs concentrate on guard duty while the others feed.
The larger the pack of dogs, the better their chances of keeping spotted hyenas at bay.
They do not fight with each other like lion and hyena does during feeding. They can eat 100 kilogram of meat from an adult kudu in 15 minutes.
A very important part of the wild dog hunting and feeding behavior is the division of the spoils after a successful hunt.
Some dogs do not participate in the hunt because they remain behind at the den to guard puppies.
When the pack returns from the hunt, these dogs will beg food from other members.
It does this by grinning, nudging and nibbling their lips, licking their faces, lowering its forequarters and raising its tail.
Puppies will usually be fed first. Sick and injured African wild dogs also receive a share of meat for as long as they remain with the pack.
Want to know some more African wild dog information?
Find out:
How do African wild dogs communicate with each other?
How do African wild dogs breed ?
What is their preferred habitat?
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