HUNTING

See also:

• DOG

DOG (

See also:

• LYCAON

Lycaon pictus)  , an African wild dog, differing from the rest of the family in having only four toes on each foot, and its blotched coloration of ochery yellow, black and white . The species is nearly as large as a mastiff, with long li' bs, broad Cape Hunting Dog (Lycaon pictus) . flat head, short muzzle and large erect ears, and presents a superficial resemblance to the spotted hyena on which account it is sometimes called the hyena-dog . " Mimicry " has been suggested as an explanation of this likeness; but it is difficult to see what advantage a strong animal hunting in packs like the present species can gain by being mistaken for a hyena, as it is in every respect fully qualified to take care of itself . These wild dogs are found in nearly the whole of Africa south and east of the Sahara . The statement of Gordon Cumming that a pack " could run into the swiftest or overcome the largest and most powerful antelope," is abundantly confirmed, and these dogs do great damage to sheep flocks . Several local races of the species have been named .