Two African wild dogs or wild dogs (wild dog) near Camp Khwai River Lodge by Orient Express in Botswana , within the Moremi Game Reserve Wild . Botswana. The wild dog ( Lycaon pictus) is a carnivorous mammal of the Canidae family and thus related to the domestic dog . It is also commonly known as the African wild dog, painted wolf, hyena and hunting dog dog El Cabo.reada in 1960 to protect the wildlife -rich part of the delta. It belongs to a monospecific genus , Lycaon . It is endemic to the African continent , being in savannah-type environments . Scientific or Latin name means painted wolf, citing its tricolor of black spots irregularly distributed white rust , except the front of the face and throat , which are always black and the last half of his tail, which always white . It is characteristic of the species that no two individuals with the same pattern of spots . It is the only species of canid which has four toes before and after. It can reach up to 75 inches tall at the withers and exceed 30 kilos in weight. The males are more robust than females. It has large rounded ears pricked . Possess strong jaws , and dental formula is as follows: 3/3, 1/1 , 4/4 , 2/3 = 42 . The wild dogs hunt in packs . It is the best hunter in the world with a success rate of between 70 and 89% according to various sources : from 10 hunts as nine are settled successfully . Their preferred prey is impala and other similar medium sized ungulates . They are known for their strength and for being cunning hunters. They were observed hunting prey in relays , or even blocking a potential escape of a dam , which was finally overcome by exhaustion. Typically emit loud or screeching sounds , like those of a bird. Although not considered a strictly territorial species , they occupy large home ranges that can range from 50 to 200 square kilometers . Often overlapping foraging areas of different herds . They are usually elusive and unlike other canids are extremely difficult to tame. The wild dog has a complex matriarchal social system . Often regurgitate food for other pack members : individuals old or young pups and adults who have been taking care of the offspring during hunting trips . The size of their herds varies greatly, from those formed solely by the parents and litter to groups of more than thirty individuals. The gestation period is between 63 and 72 days and stop for five to eight pups per litter.