emporiumvorti.blogg.se - Hyenas vs wild dogs

While kennels and shelters overflow with unwanted and abandoned pets, wild dogs continue to teeter on the verge of extinction.

Unfortunately, the main difference between domestic dogs and Lycaon is in the numbers.

Unlike wolves, which are found in the forests of Europe, and domestic dogs which are most often found on the couch, Lycaon sticks to the open plains and savannahs of Africa where it can hunt most effectively.

This hunting method may seem savage but it’s remarkably effective and quick. They then proceed to tear it apart rather than suffocating it.

Like wolves and feral dogs, Lycaon live and hunt in packs, chasing their prey down until it gives up from exhaustion.Not only are wild dogs fast, they’ve got staying power and an intelligent hunting strategy with an 80% success rate.As a species, the domestic dog averages out at 30km per hour (19 mph).Wild dogs can reach a top speed of 70 km per hour (44mph) which is only just slower than a greyhound’s top speed and almost double that of the average horse.In proportion to their bodies, wild dogs have longer legs than their domestic counterparts – all the better to run with.Lycaon has only 40 teeth, whereas other canids have 42.WIld dogs have shorter muzzles and fewer teeth than both wolves and domestic dogs.The fifth toe and dewclaw found on our domestic breeds are absent.A wild dog’s paw print may look similar to that of a large domestic dog’s, but it has only four toes on the front foot.Lycaon do not interbreed with any other members of the dog and wolf clans, and they have a few other distinguishing features too. Lycaon pictus, while belonging to the family Canidae, is only distantly related to any of the other canines in their family and is considered a distinct species of one. Neither are they related to hyenas, although they were initially classified as a type of hyena. Otherwise known as painted wolves, Cape hunting dogs and African wild dogs, these canids are none of the above. If you are very very lucky and accompanied by an experienced game ranger and tracker, you might come across a pack of Lycaon Pictus during your South African safari.