The African wild dogs have colourful markings on their bodies. The markings are in yellow, black and white colours and hence these dogs are also called Painted Dogs. Each dog has a unique set of markings. This helps them to recognise each other. Another remarkable feature about these dogs is that they have four and not five digits on each paw.
The wild dogs live in packs or groups of up to ten – packs having 100 dogs have also been heard of. They are carnivores and hunt anything from zebras to rodents. Before going on a hunt, the pack meets and communicates with each other through calls and body postures.
The dogs stalk their prey and only when they are close enough, do they give it a chase. If one of the dogs gets separated from the pack during hunting, it will keep in touch by making a loud ‘hoo’ noise that can be heard two kilometres away.
The African wild dog is an endangered species today. There are hardly 4000 of them found in the wild.