Hyena-like dog - description, habitat, lifestyle

In this material we will study a representative of a predatory family, namely a hyena dog. Otherwise, it is called hyena-shaped, animals differ in their habits and way of being. They are attributed to the canine family, by their external characteristics they are somewhat reminiscent of stray dogs. If you translate the name from Latin, it sounds like a painted wolf. But we will not immediately reveal all the cards, we will consider the characteristics in the next order.

Description and habitat

1. These family members are considered the closest relatives of the red wolves. They are famous for lean body, maneuverability, easy gait and elongated limbs. The head is quite large in format, the ears are larger than other members of the family. The individuals discussed are very similar to hyenas by this trait.
2. The muzzle is wide and large. As for body length, indicators are 1 meter. An additional 40 cm are additionally allocated to the tail. Predators grow to a height of 75 cm in height at the withers. Their weight varies greatly depending on the food supply and can be about 20–35 kg. Often these dogs go hungry, so they lose weight very much.
3. An interesting feature is the fact that individuals are voracious. When they begin to consume meat, they can’t stop eating about 7 kg at a time. and even more. The jaws are powerful, due to the premolar, the predator breaks the cartilage and bones of its victims, leaving no chance of survival.
4. As for the coat, it is rare, tough, shortened. In some parts of the body there are bald spots of black pigmentation. However, the tail is voluminous, the fur in this area is long and thick. The general color can be reddish, whitish, black. Marks of brown tone also have a place to be.
5. Spotting with interspersed different sizes makes these individuals different from the self-similar. They are unique in pigmentation. However, there are representatives of the group painted in pure black. All animals have a dark muzzle, as well as a zone behind the ears. A white dot may be observed at the end of the tail.
6. Regarding distribution, individuals of the breed group under discussion are for the most part dispersed throughout African countries. They can also live close to India. They prefer to live in the savannah, not too wooded areas and wastelands. They can go far from home to get food.

Lifestyle

1. These animals love to communicate with each other, but do not seek to occupy an individual site and mark it. Even during mating games, dogs do not become aggressive; there are no clashes between representatives of male gender. When a pair is formed, it secures a site around the home and strictly guards it.
2. When a female reaches puberty, she can come into contact alternately with 2-3 males. Subsequently, it is with them that he builds families; he receives offspring from them. The older generation leaves and forms flocks with another young growth. Subsequently, they build families among themselves.
3. These individuals are not characterized by a single mode of existence. They protect each other, go hunting together, live in packs and raise offspring. In each group there is a couple who takes the lead. Also, this place can be assigned to an adult female. If she gained power, all males will obey her implicitly. It is distinctive that each individual has its own status in the food chain.
4. If the male takes the lead, he will be responsible for the flock. Individuals of male gender also all obey. The male chooses places for hunting, building a den and even mating.When the hierarchy is only distributed, animals do not start hassles, they otherwise demonstrate their managerial skills (the ability to get food, etc.).
5. When the pack is fully formed, all dogs peacefully tune to each other. They take care of the cubs, bring food to the sick and wounded, protect each other to the last. These are those animals that are truly endowed with compassion and love towards themselves. They never leave their brothers to die and fight together. When males leave to build a family, they can still return to the pack.

Diet

1. It is worth noting that the basis of the diet of the considered individuals mainly includes various artiodactyl animals that live in the vastness of the African continent. Represented predators often attack even large saber-footed ungulates. Medium-sized hyenas are killed in just 15 minutes.
2. At the same time, when the predators in question begin to hunt for larger prey, they can patiently wait for it for a long time. Moreover, such dogs can chase their prey when it is already completely exhausted. However, predators try to attack sick and older animals.
3. Thus, dogs play a huge breeding role. Discussed predators live mainly in small groups that constantly roam. Dogs are constantly on the lookout for places with the most food for them.
4. Even when there are no large-sized victims, dogs may well enjoy various rodents and other small animals. Such individuals often attack birds. It is noteworthy that dogs prefer to hunt at sunset or dawn. As soon as they go out for prey, they make characteristic exclamations.
5. In this way they inform the congeners that it is time for the hunt. One flock of predators can exterminate a fairly large number of animals. Therefore, for each dog per day, about 3 kg. meat. It is interesting that the individuals in question during the hunt rush to the victim's legs or rip up her belly. Such predators do not feed on carrion. Therefore, they do not interfere with the jackals.

Breeding

1. It is interesting to observe that with the onset of the mating season in spring, the flock begins to disintegrate. This always happens when dogs are preparing for active breeding. After mating, the females continue to bear future offspring for about 2 months.
2. Before giving birth, the female creates a hole and completely equips the dwelling before the appearance of offspring. Most often, such dens are in thickets of various reservoirs. It is noteworthy that such burrows are located as colonies not far from each other.
3. At one time, the female is able to bring up to 8 puppies. It is interesting that the babies appear already with thick hair and uneven white spots on the body. At such a moment, the young are completely helpless. The problem is that they are blind and deaf.
4. The female does not leave the den for 1 month. Young growth begins to mature in about 3 weeks after birth. Young individuals acquire a characteristic coloration at about the age of 1 month.

In a pack, wild dogs begin to take care of their offspring together. They guard them and gradually learn to hunt. Kids are under constant protection, and they are practically not in danger. By about 2 years, individuals reach puberty. At this time, they begin to lead an independent lifestyle.

Video: hyena dog (Lycaon pictus)