Field guide · rare
African Wild Dog
Painted wolves of the savanna — endurance hunters with one of the most striking coats in Africa.
Endangered
Lycaon pictus
Overview
African wild dogs, also called painted wolves, wear a coat of mottled black, brown, yellow, and white — no two alike. They hunt in cooperative packs with extraordinary success rates, chasing prey across open plains until it tires.
Once widespread, they are now among Africa's most endangered large carnivores. A pack streaming through Masai Mara or Okavango grass is a rare safari prize.
- Scientific nameLycaon pictus
- Length75–110 cm body; tail 30–40 cm
- Height60–75 cm at the shoulder
- Weight18–36 kg
- LifespanAround 10–12 years in the wild
- DietPack hunters of medium…
- ConservationEndangered
- RegionSavanna
Habitat
- Savanna
- Open woodland
- Grassland
African wild dogs favour open woodland and savanna with space to run, from Kenya and Botswana to other southern and eastern African strongholds. They need large ranges free from intense conflict with people and competing lions and hyenas.
Countries found
Field notes
Field scale for the African Wild Dog: length around 75-110 cm body; tail 30-40 cm; height 60-75 cm at the shoulder; weight 18-36 kg. Typical lifespan: Around 10-12 years in the wild.
When you are scanning habitat, prioritise savanna, open woodland, and grassland. Those settings are where a clean look and a usable photo are most likely.
Quick ID anchor: Mottled 'painted' coat, large rounded ears, and a white-tipped tail. Confirm with behaviour and habitat before you log the discovery.
Where to see one
Kenya
In Kenya, start at Masai Mara National Reserve (Southwest Kenya). Open savanna where lion prides patrol the grassland and the Great Migration crosses the Mara River from July to October.
More context on this destination lives on the Kenya expedition page.
Botswana
In Botswana, start at Okavango Delta (Northern Botswana). A river that never reaches the sea. Mokoro trips through papyrus channels with elephants, hippos, and painted dogs.
More context on this destination lives on the Botswana expedition page.
Diet
Pack hunters of medium antelope such as impala, gazelle, and wildebeest calves.
Chase prey over long distances rather than relying on ambush.
Behaviour
Highly social packs led by a breeding pair; members share food and babysitting duties.
Diurnal hunters that often move widely between dens and hunting grounds.
How to identify
Mottled 'painted' coat, large rounded ears, and a white-tipped tail.
Lean build built for endurance; dark muzzle and four-toed feet.
Interesting facts
- 01
Each wild dog's coat pattern is unique, like a fingerprint.
- 02
Packs have among the highest hunt-success rates of any large land predator.
- 03
They communicate with twittering calls and elaborate greetings.
- 04
Pups are cared for cooperatively by the whole pack.
- 05
Large rounded ears help with heat loss and hearing.
- 06
They lack the fifth toe (dewclaw) found on most dogs.
Conservation status
African wild dogs are Endangered. Habitat fragmentation, snares, roadkill, and disease from domestic dogs keep numbers low. Connected conservancies in Botswana, Kenya, and neighbouring countries are critical strongholds.
Sources: IUCN Red List
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Where it lives
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