Reproduction

Breeding takes place during the rainy season. Only one pair in the group, the alphas, will breed with the subordinates helping with caring for the young. The other females oestrous cycle is suppressed to prevent them breeding.

Females give birth to an average litter of four pups following a 67 day gestation period. Litters of up to 10 have been recorded in some cases.

While the female is suckling the pups the male will bring her food.

Sexual maturity is reached by one year old. Females tend to mature slightly earlier than males.

Behavior

Bush dogs will live in packs of up to 10 individuals which hunt together. Each group is led by the alpha female who will produce all of the pups.

They are active during the day and at night the group will seek shelter together. They hide out in burrows abandoned by other animals, hollow logs and under rocks.

These animals are efficient swimmers and will enter the water to hunt prey.

They are considered to be highly vocal and use this to communicate with other members of their pack.

Their territory is marked out using scent. Males will lift their leg similar to dogs while females perform a handstand against a tree.

Predators and Threats

Bush dog populations are declining. While they enjoy a large range and live in a wide variety of habitats they appear to naturally be rare.

Numbers of this species have reduced by 25% over the last 12 years.

A range of major threats are facing the bush dog in their range. This includes habitat loss and conversion of their habitat to agriculture, reduction in prey due to hunting and the risk of diseases which are spread by domestic dogs.

The habitat of bush dogs living in a family group means that diseases can quickly spread.

Some hunting of the species occurs for trophies and food. In Native American tribes they are occasionally raised to be pets.

A captive breeding program for the species exist but as yet no attempts at reintroduction have been made.

Quick facts

The bush dog has a strong scent which is similar to vinegar.

As a result of the smell the locals have given this species the nickname, "cachorro-vinagre’,which means vinegar dog. Another nickname is "zorro" meaning fox or the savannah dog.

Bush dogs were known from fossil records before one was sighted alive. Until this discovery they were presumed to be an extinct species.

They are the only living member of the genus Speothos. Their closest living relative is the bush dog.