Endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa, the African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus) is a carnivore species inhabiting savannahs habitats. Weighing 18–36 kg, it is classified as Endangered.
Physical Characteristics & Habitat
Size & Speed
| Metric | African Wild Dog | Carnivore Mammals Median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 27 kg | 50 kg | ↓ 46% |
| Height | 77.5 cm | — | — |
| Top Speed | 56 km/h | 48 km/h | ↑ 17% |
| Avg Speed | 56 km/h | — | — |
Habitat & Distribution
The African Wild Dog inhabits savannahs habitats. It can be found in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Typical coloring: Multicolored.
Diet & Predators
Behavior & Reproduction
Social Structure
The African Wild Dog is a group-based species belonging to the Canidae family.
Reproduction
Conservation & Comparison
IUCN Conservation Status
EN The African Wild Dog is classified as Endangered. There are 31 species with the same status in our database.
Species Comparison
Among 32 carnivore mammals, the African Wild Dog’s weight of 18–36 kg is lower than the group median of 50 kg.
Weight rank: #16 of 31 Endangered species.
| # | Species | Weight | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blue Whale | Up to 200 tons | EN |
| 2 | Asian Elephant | 2000–5000 kg | EN |
| 3 | Whale Shark | Up to 1500 kg | EN |
| 4 | Grevy's Zebra | 350–450 kg | EN |
| 5 | Baird's Tapir | 150–400 kg | EN |
Related Species
How much does a African Wild Dog weigh?
A African Wild Dog typically weighs 18–36 kg, which is below average compared to the median of 50 kg among carnivore mammals.
What is the conservation status of the African Wild Dog?
The African Wild Dog is classified as “Endangered”. There are 31 species with the same status in our database.
Where does the African Wild Dog live?
The African Wild Dog is found in Sub-Saharan Africa, in savannahs habitats.
How does the African Wild Dog reproduce?
The African Wild Dog has a gestation period of 70 days and typically produces 10-12 offspring per birth.
Data Sources: IUCN, WWF, National Geographic, Smithsonian Institution.
Last Updated: April 10, 2026