Page 32 - World of Animals - Deadly Predators

A wild dog’s life RED FOX

Vulpes vulpes
Lifespan 2-4 years
Adult weight 3-10kg
(6.5-24lbs)
These fierce creatures are strategic, agile and Conservation status
powerful hunters

LEAST CONCERN
African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) are the largest aim for their preys’ belly and kill. Seconds later, other
members of the Canidae family. These fierce predators members of the pack will join the feast. They must
roam the open plains and sparse woods – the perfect eat quickly as hyenas will attempt to steal their kill. An
place to watch and chase their prey – of southern and average African wild dog will eat some four kilograms
southern East Africa. (nine pounds) of food each day. Their hunting success
African wild dogs are social animals that hunt in rate of 80 per cent makes them one of Africa’s most
cooperative packs made up of between six and 20 or efficient hunters. Their long legs and large lungs give
more individuals. This means that they can bring down them the stamina to chase their prey for an hour or so
prey that is up to five times their own size. These packs and they can reach speeds of over 70 kilometres (44
prefer to hunt antelope, but as opportunistic predators miles) per hour.
they will also hunt larger prey, such as wildebeest, as Like African wild dogs, wolves (Canis lupus), hunt
well as rodents and birds. Last year, even baboons in packs that have between two and 15 – or more
were seen to be victims of the African wild dogs’ – members. Their choice of prey are ungulates like
hunting skills. moose and deer, and they will use their keen sense of
African wild dogs will use different hunting strategies smell to locate their prey, travelling up to 48 kilometres
depending on their prey. Typically, in their hunt for (30 miles) in their search for food. Once they have
antelope, pack members will separate, hunting alone or found their prey, taking care to not be seen, they
in pairs. Their aim is to separate one of the antelopes will choose their victim. If their prey tries to flee, a
from its herd. Once they have a target, normally the chase ensues where wolves can reach speeds of 56
weak or young, these agile hunters will cut off any kilometres (35 miles) per hour. Once their prey tires,
escape routes to prevent its victim from re-joining the wolves bring it to the ground using their powerful
its herd, biting its legs until it is too weak to continue jaws to latch onto the prey’s rump. They can eat ten
running. Using their sharp teeth and powerful bite, they kilograms (20 pounds) of meat in a single sitting and

THE WOLF WITHIN

Domestic dogs have a wild history, but how were

they domesticated?

Dogs have been our furry companions for more Dogs’ floppy ears, shorter
than 10,000 years, and they are probably our oldest snouts and pale fur are
companions too. The oldest fossils of a domestic dog signs of tameness
DOMESTIC DOG
were found in 1914 in Oberkassel, Germany, and have
Canis lupus familiaris
been dated to around 14,000 years old. However, it’s Lifespan 8-20 years
thought that domestication occurred roughly 20,000 Adult weight 1.4-79kg
(3-175lbs)
to 40,000 years ago.
Conservation status
Scientists agree that man’s best friend – as well
as wild dogs – share a common grey wolf ancestor,
and roughly 100,000 years ago wolves and dogs NOT EVALUATED
split into two distinct species. However, what is less
certain is where they were domesticated and how.
Genetic studies have suggested that dogs were first
domesticated in Central Asia, China or Europe and
this remains a controversial topic. One study even
suggested that dogs may have been domesticated
twice. And what about the ‘how’? The most accepted
theory is that wolves domesticated themselves as the
most friendly wolves would be more likely to survive
alongside hunter-gatherer peoples.
Despite the differences in their appearance and
stature, all domestic dogs, from the Chihuahua and
pug to the husky and Labrador, belong to the same
subspecies Canis lupus familiaris, and with more © Thinkstock
than 300 different breeds, they are the most diverse
animals on Earth.

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