Botswana, Animals

Painted Dogs

The highlight of Karangoma was a pack of endangered wild dogs. About 15 of them were raising pups in an aardvark burrow not far from our camp. We checked on them every day.

These dogs are quite different from our domesticated pets. There are physical differences, like number of teeth and toes, but most importantly they cannot produce fertile offspring with domestic dogs. That makes them different species.

When we arrived, most of the dogs were resting. They were scattered around the den, curled up on the ground.

When the pups came out of the den, all the other dogs got excited. They greeted the pups with enthusiastic chirping and whinnying, very different from the expected barking.

Below, a closeup of a pup. With so much motion and confusion, it was difficult to get that photo!

Sometimes we visited when the pack was out hunting. I think the dog below is the matriarch, eating meat that the others brought back for her and the pups. They do this by regurgitating. It was not a pleasant smell.

With the whole pack cooperating in the hunt, we felt that they were extremely dangerous. Experts say they're among the most efficient hunters with an 80% success rate.

With all the dogs clearly happy for the puppies, they seemed so friendly that we could give them treats and pet them. Fortunately they ignored us, and we concluded that it was a good time to stay in the jeep!