Wildlife volunteer, Robin Shepard, joined Wildlife ACT in uMkhuze Game Reserve. She filmed this interesting video of Wild Dog behaviour: the African Wild Dog Greeting.
“For anyone who hasn’t heard the interesting noises that Wild Dogs make, here is a sample of the African Wild Dog greeting chirps they do whenever one or more dogs are separated, for almost any length of time, from each other. It’s part of their complex social system based on the ties of a close-knit family group, and submission, rather than dominance by force.”
The suspense was tangible, was the pack going to turn east away from Londolozi or west onto Londolozi?
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Another reason for the hoo call is when different members of the pack are believed to be establishing dominance or forming a new alpha male or female pair. This may occur if one dies or it is a newly formed pack and they are still working out the ranking amongst themselves. The last theory is that it could be a mating ritual call. It is difficult to determine from this exactly what the reasoning behind this call was as it was the first time many of the wild dog enthusiasts I have spoken to have heard it. It could be any combination of the reasons I have mentioned above.
If you might have a theory, please let us know in the comments section below. Either way it was an amazing game drive spent with the wild dogs and one that left us intrigued as to why the wild dogs were calling like this.
Before I tell you more about the hoo call, I want to explain the events that happened before the pack all called.
Cricket?Owl?Dolphin? No…Just an African Wild Dog!
The African wild dog is an incredibly vocal animal emitting squeaks, chirps and hoots reminiscent of many common birds, but they make very few of the sounds created by the more familiar dog species we may have overheard.
They really do not bark at all, and instead of howling in the night, a separated wild dog looking for the pack makes a “hoo” noise which sounds almost exactly like an owl!
While hunting and feeding, the pack chirps and squeals like a flock of small birds, or a noisy pod of dolphins! They also make many cackling noises similiar to hyenas – although there is no relation.- African Wild Dog Facts
Almost all animals are driven to play as youngsters, practicing fight or flight techniques that will make them successful adults.
Even without siblings or friends to experiment with, youngsters who grow up alone, like certain antelope, bear or cat species, will entertain themselves all day long with imaginative play.
As most animals mature, however, play is replaced by the actual activities they once practiced and, especially with animals whose destiny after leaving their mothers side is to live a solitary life, with only occasional interaction for breeding purposes, the urge to play may simply fade away.
But many canine species maintain high levels of play and joyful interaction with no real purpose all through their adult lives leading to mature animals that are full of curiosity and richness of character – African Wild Dog Facts
The Weird and Wonderful Noises of Wild Dogs
The African wild dog is the most persecuted predator on the continent. It is also the most elusive and enigmatic. However, many people are unaware of this special creature’s existence. Here we learn more about these beautiful animals and their continued fight for survival and space in an increasingly fragmented natural environment.