🐾

Cynhyene

Lycaon pictus

Endangered ↓

Diet

Carnivore

Lifespan

11 years

Length

1.0 m

Weight

25.0 kg

Population

6.6K

Trend

↓ Decreasing

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About

Distinctive African canid with a mottled brown, black, and white coat — no two individuals have identical markings. Found in sub-Saharan savanna and woodland, living in tightly bonded packs with cooperative hunting strategies and exceptional prey-capture success rates (up to 80%). Endangered with fewer than 7,000 remaining due to habitat fragmentation, human persecution, and infectious disease.

Fun Facts

✨ Their hunting success rate is about 80%.
✨ Each dog has a unique coat pattern.

Habitat & Distribution

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, and flooded grasslands and savannas, among 6 distinct biome types within the Afrotropic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

🌾 Savanna 🌿 Grassland

Distributed across Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

🇲🇿 Mozambique 🇹🇿 Tanzania 🇿🇲 Zambia 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe 🇧🇼 Botswana

Diet & Behavior

🥩

Carnivore

Cynhyene is classified as carnivore, adapted to its ecological niche.

Diet

🥩 Carnivore

Animal matter 100%

Conservation Status

EN Endangered

Estimated Population

6.6K

Population Trend

↓ Decreasing

Full Taxonomy

Mammalia (mammifères)

Order

Carnivora (carnivores)

Family

Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)

Genus

Lycaon (African Wild Dogs)

Species

Lycaon pictus (Cynhyene)

Names in Other Languages

Spanish Licaon

French Cynhyene

German Hyänenhund

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the scientific name of Cynhyene?

The scientific name of Cynhyene is Lycaon pictus. It belongs to the genus Lycaon.

What is the conservation status of Cynhyene?

Cynhyene (Lycaon pictus) is classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List. The population trend is decreasing.

Where does Cynhyene live?

Cynhyene is found in Distributed across Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.. Countries include Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

What family does Cynhyene belong to?

Cynhyene (Lycaon pictus) belongs to the genus Lycaon, which is part of the taxonomic family Canidae.

What does Cynhyene eat?

Cynhyene is carnivore. Its diet is adapted to its natural habitat and ecological niche.

How long does Cynhyene live?

Cynhyene has an average lifespan of approximately 11 years in the wild.

How many Cynhyene are left in the wild?

The estimated wild population of Cynhyene (Lycaon pictus) is approximately 6,600 individuals.

Is Cynhyene endangered?

Yes, Cynhyene (Lycaon pictus) is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, which means it faces a significant risk of extinction in the wild.