Hunting:
* Pack Strategy: They are highly social and hunt in packs of 5-20 individuals. This allows them to take down large prey like zebra, wildebeest, and impala.
* Cooperative Hunting: They employ a strategy called "relay chasing," where different pack members take turns chasing the prey, keeping it exhausted until it's vulnerable.
* High Speed: They can reach speeds of up to 56 km/h (35 mph) during hunts.
* Persistence: Wild dogs are known for their tenacity, often pursuing their prey for miles and hours.
Territory:
* Wide Ranges: Their territories can be vast, spanning hundreds of square kilometers.
* Marking: They establish and defend their territory through scent marking, using urine and feces to signal their presence.
* Day-time Activity: They are active primarily during the day, patrolling and defending their territory.
Social Movements:
* Close Bonds: Wild dogs live in tightly knit packs with strong social bonds.
* Cooperative Care: They share food, care for pups, and even hunt together.
* Vocal Communication: They communicate using a variety of vocalizations, including barks, howls, and yelps.
* Social Greetings: When pack members reunite, they engage in playful greetings, licking each other's faces and ears.
Other Notable Movements:
* Migration: While not typically considered migratory, they may move to areas with better food sources during seasons with limited prey.
* Locomotion: They are digitigrade, meaning they walk on their toes, which gives them a longer stride and increased agility.
Threats to Movements:
* Habitat Loss: Human encroachment, agriculture, and development are reducing their available territory.
* Disease: They are susceptible to various diseases, including rabies and canine distemper.
* Human Conflict: Poaching, persecution, and vehicle collisions are major threats to their populations.
It's important to note that African wild dog movements are complex and influenced by a variety of factors. Understanding these movements is crucial for conservation efforts to protect these endangered animals.