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(#5) They Have Vocalizations And Rituals To Greet Each Other
Unlike the lone cheetahs and badgers of the world, African wild dogs are extremely social and enjoy hanging out with one another. They can be very talkative as well and communicate with each other through different sounds, including whining, howling, and barking. Tail movement and touching each other with their noses or paws also give signals to each other. African wild dogs have been observed engaging in rituals when they greet one another where they may jump, shake their head, or vocalize their happiness at seeing their friends. Before a hunt, they may also help pump each other up like a sports team before a big game by licking, wagging, and yelping.
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(#11) African Wild Dogs Are Nomadic And Often Travel Over A Very Large Area
The territories of African wild dog covers a wide area and they tend to often move around within their space. They may even call an area as big as 900 square miles their home. To ensure food is plentiful, wild dogs have adopted a nomadic lifestyle. However, during the times pups are born, the pack will stop moving and limit their hunting to a certain area around the den. Requiring such a large area to live has caused the dogs trouble as humans take over more space. Parts of the dogs' area may now contain houses, farms, or roads that cause trouble for both the dogs and the humans.
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(#10) Wild Dogs Give Birth To Large Litters Which Are Cared For By The Entire Pack
A typical litter for African wild dogs contains about 10 pups but can be as many as 20, which is more than most dogs in the animal kingdom. The babies are usually born in a safe location, such as a hole or thick bush, so they can easily be protected. Hunting members of the pack will bring food back for the pups and the youngest ones get eating priority over everyone else, including the head couple. One reason for the large amount of pups is their high rate of mortality. Pups may be killed by predators, disease, flooding, or a number of other things, and many new pups don't end up surviving long. Since African wild dogs want to keep their numbers up so hunting is easier, nature has insured that at least some will survive thanks to their large litter size.
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(#9) Researchers Believe Compatibility Play A Part In Pack Formation
African wild dogs tend to stick by their pack even while resting and unlike wolves, wild dogs are rarely seen on their own. Although researchers haven't been able to figure exactly how a group of wild dogs form themselves into a pack, they believe compatibility between the dogs matters. They have observed dogs undertaking a "trial" group that will separate without conflict if things don't work out, as well as separate hierarchies between the males and females of the pack. Because the wild dogs are so non-aggressive towards one another, how dominance is decided among pack members is a mystery as well, although it's possibly based on age. Creating the best possible pack is probably the main motive for the dogs, as having a tight knit group with members able to effectively work together will provide the best life for everyone in the pack.
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(#1) African Wild Dogs Are The Definition Of Teamwork
One advantage of sticking together in large groups is the ability to take care of the pack's other members. African wild dogs are one species of mammals that practice respect for their elders and have been observed taking care of the old, injured, and sick members of their group. Although there is only one couple in charge, the pack gets along so well that there is often very little fighting and dogs will follow the dominant pair without issue. Wild dogs will bring food back from the hunt for other members of their pack and regurgitate meals for pups and their mother. In fact, packs are so close knit, every member shares responsibilities, including caring for the young.
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(#4) Packs Hunt Cooperatively With Finely Tuned Choreography
African wild dogs have a nasty reputation partly due to the way they hunt and how efficient of a system it is. They work together in groups and make a cooperative attack where every dog has a role. Remaining organized at all times, the dogs will identify a worthy target, and a team of several dogs will begin the chase. If the first wave of dogs gets tired before the kill, they switch with another team and the chase continues. Using this method, African dogs can run much longer than their prey, which eventually tires and is killed. Although they are fond of hunting antelopes, by working together they can also attack wildebeests or other large prey.
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African wild dogs are the rarest carnivores in Africa. Because of their powerful hunting skills, African wild dogs are not appreciated by those who try to raise animals. With the reduction of habitat and competition from other large carnivores, their numbers are declining and became endangered. African wild dogs mainly live in the dry grasslands and semi-desert areas of Africa, never activities in dense forests.
The African wild dogs are cooperative hunting animal and live in close groups. It is very rare to have serious fights in the wild dog family. Although they look fierce, they are actually social dogs. The random tool will help you to know more information about African wild dogs.
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