Dog, African Wild

Scientific name: Lycaon pictus

Origin: Africa

Size: 85-140cm

Diet: Carnivore

IUCN status: Endangered

Threats: Poaching, diseases contracted from domestic dogs

Zoos I have seen them: Dublin Zoo, Belfast Zoo (gone), Edinburgh Zoo (gone), Chester Zoo, ZSL London Zoo, Natura Artis Magistra

Interesting fact: This dog’s scientific name translates to ‘Painted wolf’. This is of course a reference to its coat, which is a mixture of black, yellow and white, and each individual dog has its own unique coat pattern.