African wild dogs are also known as painted dogs or painted wolves because of their striking, patchy coats that feature black, yellow, and white fur.
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They are highly social animals, living in packs that typically range from six to twenty individuals, but packs of up to 40 have been reported.
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African wild dogs are highly efficient hunters, with a success rate of around 80%. They hunt in groups, often pursuing their prey over long distances until it tires and becomes vulnerable to attack.
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Unlike other canids, African wild dogs have only four toes on each foot instead of five, and their large ears are used to help them stay cool in the hot African sun.
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They have a highly structured social hierarchy, with a dominant breeding pair at the top of the pack. Other members of the pack help to care for the young and contribute to the group's hunting efforts.
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African wild dogs are highly endangered, with only an estimated 5,000 individuals left in the wild. Habitat loss, disease, and human persecution have all contributed to their decline.
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They are excellent communicators, using a variety of vocalizations, body postures, and facial expressions to communicate with each other.
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African wild dogs have a unique method of greeting each other called the "greeting ceremony," which involves a lot of jumping, licking, and whining.
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They have a very high metabolism and need to eat frequently to maintain their energy levels. They can eat up to 10% of their body weight in a single meal.
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African wild dogs are not closely related to wolves or other canids. Instead, they belong to their own genus, Lycaon, and are the only surviving species in this genus.
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