Meet the African Painted Dog | Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom

Images and story by The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

What’s that flash of black, tan and white fur running in a pack through the dense woodlands and expansive savannahs in the heart of Africa? It’s the sociable African painted dog!

Often mistaken for hyenas, African painted dogs are known for their nearly flawless hunting skills and intricate social structure. These endangered canines are some of the most successful predators on the planet, thriving on cooperation and working as one to survive.

Learn about the breeding programs created by zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to help ensure African painted dogs continue to roam Africa in thriving packs.

An African painted dog standing on a rock next to a small lake. African painted dogs are wild dogs with unique white, brown and black spots, a black snout and large round ears atop their heads. They are smaller in size with tall, skinny legs.

African painted dogs: Masters of the hunt

African painted dogs are small carnivores, especially when compared to lions, leopards and hyenas. On average, they weigh about 55 pounds and stand approximately 27 inches at the shoulder. Although their smaller size makes it easy for larger animals to steal their prey, African painted dogs have one of the highest hunting success rates — 80% to 90% — of any African carnivore. This far exceeds the average 20% success ratio of the African lion.

The key to this success is their ability to hunt as a synchronized and choreographed unit. Each member of the pack has a distinctive role to play in the hunt. African painted dogs live in closely bonded family units with no room for aggression or miscommunication, as this would affect the harmony and efficiency of the pack. Each member of the pack begins their day by greeting the others to maintain communication and reestablish strong bonds.

Each African painted dog is uniquely identifiable with a distinctive coat pattern and vocalizations. In their native habitat, African painted dog packs usually consist of eight or more members. Researchers have observed this is the minimum size required for a pack to thrive. Without a complete pack, African painted dogs struggle to hunt large prey necessary to sustain themselves, particularly to feed pups and denning females. Additionally, a smaller pack lacks the strength to effectively defend itself and provide security.

Small African painted dog pup standing in a field of tall green grass. African painted dogs are wild dogs with unique white, brown and black spots, a black snout and large round ears atop their heads.

A plan to protect African painted dogs

The African painted dogs’ home range mainly spans Southern Africa and includes Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Despite this vast range, it’s estimated there are less than 6,600 African painted dogs roaming the wild, which is why they’re one of the most endangered mammals on the planet.

To prevent losing the species, zoos accredited by the AZA have created responsible breeding programs called species survival plans. This strategic, scientific and intentional process is led by experts, several of which are at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens Center in Palm Springs, California.

These cooperative programs have a goal to maintain a healthy, genetically diverse and demographically stable population for the long-term future and is just one way The Living Desert continues to be part of the solution to save animals from extinction.

Two African painted dogs running on a dirt path through some green grass. One is directly behind the other. African painted dogs are wild dogs with unique white, brown and black spots, a black snout and large round ears atop their heads.

Meet African painted dogs Beatrix and Kiraka

Beatrix and Kiraka, leaders of the African painted dog pack at The Living Desert, are key players in the painted dog species survival plan and have welcomed a total of 17 pups across two liters. Beatrix, or “B” as she’s affectionately called, is the matriarch of this family unit. She’s incredibly perceptive and intelligent and has passed these traits onto her pups. Whenever there’s something exciting happening or social discord in the pack, Beatrix will often stay out of the fray and observe before getting involved.

On the other hand, Kiraka is one of the more laid-back African painted dogs in the pack. Beatrix and Kiraka are a tightly bonded pair, often splitting off from the others for a dip in a pond or a roll in the grass together. It’s easy to pick these two out of the pack. Beatrix has a distinct diamond shape on her right front leg and Kiraka has a large, powerful head.

Many African painted dog pups cuddling in a pile together. African painted dogs are wild dogs with unique white, brown and black spots, a black snout and large round ears atop their heads.

Ensuring the future of African painted dogs

The Living Desert has worked closely with the Painted Dog Research Trust (PDRT) for many years to address threats African painted dogs face in Zimbabwe. One of the leading causes of fatalities for these animals is vehicular accidents on the major roadways in Northern Zimbabwe. The Living Desert and PDRT have worked with local law enforcement to decrease and enforce slower speed limits. Also, it’s now illegal in Zimbabwe to not report a vehicular collision with an animal. These efforts and others are aimed to change human behavior and bring about systemic change to protect the future of the amazing African painted dog.

The Living Desert also conducts social science workshops at the PDRT headquarters in Zimbabwe to equip local conservationists with the knowledge necessary to engage effectively with their communities. Participants learn to enhance their communication about African painted dogs and their habitats, addressing essential factors such as shelter and prey availability for the species’ survival. They also explore the impact of human activities on African painted dog populations.

PDRT studies African painted dogs and tracks packs’ travels and well-being through trail cameras, often called “camera traps.” Gathering and sorting through camera trap data is time and resource consuming because of a significant number of images. PDRT has shared over 20,000 images with The Living Desert and the team has been able to assist with data processing. Numerous volunteers go through all the images, record what’s present in the image and help manage all the data. This information is then sent back to the researchers, who own the camera traps, and the PDRT as quantifiable information that can be used to enhance and inform conservation efforts.

As with all species, African painted dog populations aren’t declining because they forgot how to breed, eat or otherwise secure what they need to survive. Populations are declining because of human activity and our choices. That’s why efforts of zoos, such as the Living Desert, and the PDRT are so important to the future of African painted dogs.

An African painted dog pup laying on a large rock, surrounded by green grass. African painted dogs are wild dogs with unique white, brown and black spots, a black snout and large round ears atop their heads.

African painted dog fun facts

Like a human’s fingerprints or a zebra’s unique stripe pattern, no two African painted dogs have the same coat markings.
African painted dogs have one of the most powerful jaws in the animal kingdom.
Unlike domestic dogs, African painted dogs only have four toes per foot.
African painted dogs are able to run as fast as 37 mph for up to three miles! This long endurance enables them to outlast their prey.
For the first three weeks after she gives birth, the dominant female will not leave the den, even to feed. Other members of the pack bring food to her and the pups.
African painted dogs have a matriarchal social system, where the pack follows the alpha female unless she is denning. In that case, the pack follows the dominant male.

African painted dogs are wild canids, just like wolves and coyotes. Learn about wolf conservation in the U.S. and discover fun facts about the unique maned wolf.