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Wild dog
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
The African Wild Dog, Lycaon pictus also known as the African Hunting Dog, Cape Hunting Dog, or Painted Wolf, is a carnivorous mammal of the Canidae family. The Afrikaans name for the African Wild dog is Wildehond, and in Swahili, Mbwa mwitu. It is the only species in the monotypic genus, Lycaon. They are, as their name indicates, found only in Africa, especially in scrub savanna and other lightly wooded areas. Their name, Lycaon Pictus actually means Painted Wolf.
Anatomy and reproduction
The wild dog's Latin name means painted wolf and it is characteristic of the species that no two individuals have the same pattern of coat. Individuals can easily be recognized on the basis of their differing coat patterns. The pelage is an irregular pattern of black, yellow, and white. The wild dog is unusual among canids, due to the fact that they are the only species to lack dewclaws on the forelimbs. Adults typically weigh between 17-36 kilograms (37-79 pounds). There is little sexual dimorphism, though judging by skeletal dimensions, males are usually 3-7% larger. They have a dental formula of (i= 3/3; c=1/1; p=4/4; m=2/3) x2, for a total of 42 teeth. The premolars of this species are relatively large compared to other canids, allowing them to consume a large quantity of bone, much like hyenas.
Wild dogs will reproduce any time of year, with a peak between March and June during the second half of the rainy season. 2-19 pups can be born per litter, though 10 is the most usual number. The time between births is usually 12-14 months, though it can also be as short as 6 months if all of the previous young die. Pups are usually born in an abandoned den dug by other animals such as aardvarks. Weaning takes place at about 10 weeks. After 3 months, the den is abandoned and the pups begin to run with the pack. At the age of 8-11 months they can kill small prey, but they are not proficient until about 12-14 months, at which time they can fend for themselves. Pups reach sexual maturity at the age of 12-18 months. Females will disperse from their birth pack at 14-30 months of age and join other packs that lack sexually mature females. Males typically do not leave the pack they were born to.
Der Afrikanische Wildhund (Lycaon pictus) ist der größte Wildhund der afrikanischen Savanne. In älterer Literatur findet man ihn oft auch unter der Bezeichnung „Hyänenhund“, da er eine entfernte äußere Ähnlichkeit mit Hyänen aufweist.
Der wissenschaftliche Name Lycaon pictus bedeutet soviel wie „bunter Wolf“ und bezieht sich auf die Farben des Fells. Die Grundfarbe ist schwarz, doch am ganzen Körper mit braunen, rötlichen, gelben und weißen Flecken besetzt. Diese Fellfarben sind bei jedem Individuum anders verteilt, so dass keine zwei Wildhunde genau gleich aussehen. Das Fell ist kurz und manchmal so spärlich, das an mehreren Stellen die nackte, schwarze Haut durchscheint.
Ein Afrikanischer Wildhund hat eine Kopfrumpflänge von 90 cm, hinzu kommen 35 cm Schwanz. Bis zur Schulter steht er 70 cm hoch, und das Körpergewicht beträgt knapp 25 kg. Mit diesen Maßen steht er zwischen Schakalen und Wölfen. Wildhunde aus dem Süden Afrikas sind durchschnittlich größer als die aus den östlichen Teilen des Kontinents
De Afrikaanse wilde hond of hyenahond (Lycaon pictus) is een wilde hondachtige uit de orde der roofdieren (Carnivora). Alhoewel de soort veel lijkt op de hond, zijn de twee geen nauwe verwanten. De hond is meer verwant aan de wolf en de jakhalzen dan aan de hyenahond.
Uiterlijke kenmerken
De Afrikaanse wilde hond is een grote, gevlekte hond met een lang, slank lichaam en lange poten, grote afgeronde oren en een lange, volle staart. De kop is vrij kort en breed, met krachtige kaken. Hij heeft een donkerbruine tot zwarte vacht met onregelmatige roomkleurige, witte en geelbruine vlekken. Het vlekkenpatroon en de kleur van de vlekken verschilt zeer per individu, maar onder verwante dieren en dieren uit dezelfde regio zijn gelijkenissen te vinden. De staartpunt is bijna altijd wit, en de snuit meestal zwart. Jonge dieren zijn meer zwart van kleur met verspreid enkele witte vlekken, voornamelijk op de poten.
De Afrikaanse wilde hond heeft een sterke, herkenbare geur. De gemiddelde Afrikaanse wilde hond heeft een kop-romplengte van 76 tot 112 cm, een staartlengte van 30 tot 41 cm en weegt zo'n 15 tot 36 kg.
Wikipedia
This was taken in Safaripark Beekse Bergen. |
valy67, JoseMiguel, Matt-Bird, goutham_ramesh, Necipp, Alex99, claudine, jeanpaul, Adanac has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
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| Discussions |
| Thread | Thread Starter |
Messages |
Updated |
| To goutham_ramesh: Hi | pvb |
1 |
06-30 02:17 |
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- valy67
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1318 W: 52 N: 1782]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(5276) - [2007-06-28 6:43]
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Hello Paula !
This is a beautiful portrait ! i love the pose and the expression on the wild dog's face. Beautiful natural colors, wonderful composition, nice details on the face and the fur, beautiful blurred BG. Very well done !
Valerie.
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- Mana
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1765 W: 29 N: 5150]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(16868) - [2007-06-28 6:49]
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Hi Paula,
Splendid portrait shot of this wild dog. Fantastic expression captured with immaculate sharpness and details. Great POV and the OOF wild grasses as BG looks superb. Wonderfully composed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon
Hi Paula,
A very interesting capture of this wild dog!
Your POV and the pose are really good ones.
I like so much the expression got, and the rich and changing pattern on its fur.
Hey, your name at the top misses with the background!
Congratulations and thanks for share it
My best regards,
JM
Hello Paula,
Good portrait, you have displayed the dog well by showing its coats markings and face. I like your notes very informative. I read that the wild dog has one of the greatest forms of endurance and in a pack they can maintain a chase after most animals until they're prey can no longer run from due to exhaustion.
good photo,
regards
Matt.
a very soft portrait of a wild dog i love them, great pov and well taken,perhaps could be crisper.
Hi paula,
I hope you had a wonderful holiday. This picture is good i love the look in his eyes!
BTW i met Thijs , we had a great time together shooting butterflies!
TFS
Goutham R
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- manyee
(19880)
- [2007-06-28 21:59]
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Hi Paula,
I love these African painted dogs and the POV and expression you captured on this one are wonderful. That was quite a close-up.
I love the colors and patterns on their fur.
They are such fascinating animals to me.
TFS. : )
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- Necipp
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 1134 W: 15 N: 21]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-n.gif)
(100) - [2007-06-29 9:34]
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Hello Paula nice shot of the wild dog good composition and pov nice background blur and sharpness in the fur tfs rgds Necip.
Hi Paula,
I suspect a rather difficult subject to photograph. From what I have seen of them on TV they are never still.
You have managed a decent photo though.
Somehow the definition in the fur around the neck does not match the rest of it and makes it look soft. I think it would be the animals movement. Good to see and well done.
Peter
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- Alex99
(15289)
- [2007-06-30 9:40]
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Hi Paula.
What a cute dog and nice its portrait. Composition of the shot, expression of the dog's face are outstanding. Colours and details are perfect too. Some softness of the image is so suitable for such type of pictures. Sweet picture taken with great taste and love. My best wishes and compliments.
Alexei.
This guy looks very alert Paula :) I like the position of its ears a lot and this expression. This is close and well composed. Maybe it could be a little sharper but using USM, I am not shure :)This is a good one anyway :) Thanks,
Claudine
Bonjour Paula C'est un plaisir pour les yeux de pouvoir admirer chien sauvage.Les couleurs et les détails sont très bien réussis. la composition est jolie.
Bravo et Merci a la prochaine...JP
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- Adanac
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1096 W: 1 N: 4461]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(14974) - [2007-07-08 18:32]
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Hello Paula,
Very nice portrait of this fine animal, good detail and exposure, thanks for sharing.
Rick
Preciosa toma con un pelaje que debe de crear dificultades para la toma :) pero resolviste bien. Saludos Paula.
