African Wild Dogs

The African Wild Dog, known scientifically as “Lycaon Pictus”, can be found in savannas, open woodlands and grasslands in its native homeland, Africa. More specifically, they are usually found in Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Namibia, and possibly Kenya.

African Wild Dogs are the size of medium domestic dogs. Their average weight is between 35 and 80 pounds and ranges from around 30 to 45 inches tall, and it’s average lifespan is between 8-10 years.

The African Wild Dog Latin name, as mentioned above, is Lycaon pictus, which means "painted wolf-like animal". Their coats vary from shades of brown, black and beige, which are thick but short and hard to maintain. The wild dog has unique shearing teeth, large hyena-like rounded ears and dark brown skin around their eyes. They also are very different from wolves and other domestic and wild dogs in that they have four toes on their front teeth, unlike the others, who have five toes, which is the ma...