African wild dogs can chase prey for several kilometers, reaching speeds up to 55 km/hr, and will disembowel and feed on their prey while it’s still alive.
African wild dogs are cooperative hunters and hunt in packs led by the pack’s alpha male.
The African wild dog uses sight, rather than smell, to find prey, then begins to chase the animal once located. The chase can last for several kilometers and reach speeds up to 55 kilometers per hour.
The dogs chase the prey until it tires, attacking on the flanks and rump to attempt to bring the animal down. At times, the dogs will disembowel the prey while it is still running. Once the prey is brought down, the dogs tear it to pieces while it’s still alive, each dog taking as much meat as possible.
• Image | © John Morrison, Some Rights Reserved (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
• Sources | (Canadian Museum of Nature, 2016; Estes, 1991; Kingdon, 1997; Mulheisen, Allen, Allen, 2002; Nowak, 1999; Wildlife Africa CC, 2004)
