The african wild dog lives in packs of six to 20. If the pack numbers fall below six, hunting efficiency is eroded. The african wild dogs have a peculiar rather playful ceremony that bonds them for a common purpose and initiates each hunt. They start circulating among the other pack members, vocalizing and touching until they get excited and are ready to hunt.
They start the hunt in an organized, cooperative manner. When prey is targeted, some of the african wild dogs run close to the animal, while others follow behind, taking over when the leader tired. The african wild dog can run long distances, at speeds up to about 35 miles per hour.
Of the large carnivores, african wild dogs are the most efficient hunters – targeted prey rarely escapes. The african wild dog tear the flesh until the animal falls, consuming even if it is still alive. This behavior may prejudice people against them, although in reality it may be no worse than the prolonged kills of other carnivores. Apart from its undeniable bloodiness, the remarkable aspect of the the african wild dog hunting is the complete lack of aggression toward each other. Wild dogs have a social hierarchy but unlike many other social animals, there is little obvious intimidation. They have elaborate greeting rituals, accompanied by twittering and whining. The african wild dogs large range of vocalizations includes a short bark of alarm, a rallying howl and a bell-like contact call that can be heard over long distances.
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