African Wild Dog: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Wolves and Foxes · day 4 of 7

Five facts

1. Wild dogs vote by sneezing. If a dominant dog starts, about three sneezes launch the hunt. If a lower-ranked dog starts, about ten are needed.
2. Packs range from two to 27 adults, but most in Kruger and the Maasai Mara have just four or five.
3. Wild dog litters hold about six to 16 pups, ten on average, more than any other member of the dog family.
4. Pups are weaned at five weeks. At eight to ten weeks the pack leaves the den and the pups follow the adults on hunts.
5. Wild dogs sneak up quietly, then chase prey at up to 66 km/h. An average chase covers about 2 km.

The quiz

1. How many sneezes can start the hunt if a dominant dog begins?

• Ten
• Twenty-seven
• Three (correct)
• One

If a dominant dog starts, about three sneezes are enough. Lower-ranked dogs need about ten.

2. What size are most packs in Kruger and the Maasai Mara?

• Four or five members (correct)
• About twenty members
• Two members
• Twenty-seven members

Packs range from two to 27 adults, but most in Kruger and the Maasai Mara have just four or five.

3. What is the average litter size?

• Two
• Ten (correct)
• Four
• Sixteen

Litters hold about six to 16 pups, ten on average.

4. When do pups start following the adults on hunts?

• By two weeks
• By five weeks
• By one year
• By eight to ten weeks (correct)

At eight to ten weeks the pack leaves the den and the pups follow the adults on hunts.

5. How fast can a wild dog run when chasing prey?

• Up to 66 km/h (correct)
• Up to 6 km/h
• Up to 16 km/h
• Up to 160 km/h

Wild dogs chase prey at up to 66 km/h.

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