🐾

African wild dog

Lycaon pictus

Endangered ↓

Diet

Carnivore

Lifespan

11 years

Length

1.0 m

Weight

25.0 kg

Population

6.6K

Trend

↓ Decreasing

On this page

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.

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

Diet & Behavior

🥩

Carnivore

African wild dog 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

Carnivora (Carnivorans)

Family

Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)

Genus

Lycaon (African Wild Dogs)

Species

Lycaon pictus (African wild dog)

Names in Other Languages

Spanish Licaon

French Cynhyene

German Hyänenhund

Explore More

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the scientific name of African wild dog?

The scientific name of African wild dog is Lycaon pictus. It belongs to the genus Lycaon.

What is the conservation status of African wild dog?

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

Where does African wild dog live?

African wild dog 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 African wild dog belong to?

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

What does African wild dog eat?

African wild dog is carnivore. Its diet is adapted to its natural habitat and ecological niche.

How long does African wild dog live?

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

How many African wild dog are left in the wild?

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

Is African wild dog endangered?

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