When I think of large, African carnivores, the big cats and spotted hyena come most immediately to mind. Indeed, most of the documentaries I watched growing up focused on the warfare between lion prides and hyena clans, and I had no idea that the African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus) existed until a few years ago. These dogs differ from other canid genera in a number of ways, most prominently the lack of a dewclaw and a set of massive molars. While they do not consume as much bone as spotted hyena, wild dogs are quite capable of cracking bones, and they make good use of their stout distal dentition when feeding on a carcass.
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An African wild dog (Lycaon pictus, left) compared to a spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta, right). Both photographed at the Bronx Zoo.
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African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus), photographed at the Bronx Zoo.
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I absolutely adore African Wild Dogs! They are amazingly intelligent and graceful animals. It's a pity their conservation is in such poor shape; I fear we may lose these incredible creatures forever relatively soon.
Thank you for posting this photo!