African wild dog - ZAWA-Evolved/ZAWA GitHub Wiki

(image by 25.4646)

The African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) is a medium-sized canine. Also known as painted wolves, these curious canines are native to sub-saharan Africa.

Even though they're smaller and lighter than grey wolves, African wild dogs have a number of adaptations that make them extremely effective hunters in the challenging habitat they live in. Wild dogs prop up their underdog pack members first, live in multi-family groups, and get along well enough that they "vote" on pack actions by sneezing! Each dog may only weigh 40 pounds, but in large packs up to 30, they have a numbers advantage.

Like many predators, African wild dogs are threatened by habitat fragmentation, as well as diseases from domestic dogs. Their conservation status is endangered.

African wild dogs are a rare spawn in wet savanna biomes. They always spawn in packs of 4-6 animals. Male and females are equally likely to spawn, and are not sexually dimorphic.

The African wild dog is a fast, defensive animal; they will acknowledge players, but not attack them unless hit. Wild dogs display pack behavior, and if one dog is threatened, all dogs in the area will come to its defense. They are on much higher alert if their group includes pups, and players should be wary of approaching them. They will sprint towards players or threats to attack them and can move very quickly.

Without their group, African wild dogs do not pose much of a threat; however, in packs, they can quickly overwhelm players. Keepers should be sure to bring a tranquilizer gun and enough darts to subdue an entire pack if trying to capture a dog. Wild dogs can be caught in capture nets.

African wild dogs can be tamed with carnivore kibble.

Wild dogs have 9 hearts (18 points) of health, can deal 3 hearts (6 points) of damage, and drop medium meat upon death.

Wild dogs are medium animals with moderate food needs. They eat a large carnivore diet, consisting of large animal prey. When planning to keep African wild dogs, don't forget to factor in their large group size.

African wild dogs can use the scented ball, scratching post, heat rock, sprinkler, and beef ice treat enrichment items.

African wild dogs are a high fertility species, and can be bred with large meat. As medium-sized animals they have a gestation time of 56000 ticks, and give birth to 4-5 pups that will take 4 2/3 minecraft days to reach adulthood.

(note: exhibit building sections contain a mix of gameplay information and building advice. Not all recommendations are necessary to keep animals happy, fed, and watered, but can help players build a realistic enclosure.)

Like many other large canines, African wild dogs are social animals and should be housed in large groups. Dogs kept together do not need to be related to get along.

Enclosures for African wild dogs should be large enough to accommodate as many pups as the keeper anticipates: up to two dozen adult animals is a good range. They are active, intelligent animals and regularly patrol around enclosures and perimeters of fences.

As powerful, pack-hunting carnivores, mixed species exhibits with African wild dogs are not recommended. They are opportunistic predators. A single dog may kill hornbills or parrots, and a large pack may gang up on animals as large as giraffes.

Wild dogs do not climb or jump fences, but may attempt to climb exhibit features while exploring, or when hungry may go after other tamed animals. Build fences at least 2 high, with an inward overhang to prevent jumping. Wire fence is a good option that allows guests and keepers to see in, and curious canines to see out.

African wild dogs are playful, social animals that appreciate new toys and exhibit features, and lots of places to run and hide from other pack members while playing. Working rock ledges, fallen trees and small caves into landscaping gives the dogs something to do. Hollow logs and tire swings are also great options. An entire pack may gang up on a scented ball.

To simulate scrubby savanna, keepers can plant grass, tall grass, johnson grass and dead bushes in wild dog enclosures. Sandstone, red sandstone, or terracotta rocks mixed with grass, dirt, gravel and coarse dirt are good substrate options.

Since wild dogs are defensive carnivores, hungry dogs may be a danger to keepers. When building enclosures, keepers should plan ahead and build a way to feed their African wild dogs with a dispenser or through a trapdoor for safety. Though they don't pose as much danger as big cats or bears, building a double door or airlock in a keeper area may be wise to prevent several dogs from escaping at once.

African wild dogs have 4 natural variants: Picasso, Manet, Rembrandt and Worhol. Pollock, a mostly black variant, is breed-only and does not spawn naturally.

Picasso	Manet	Rembrant	Worhol	Pollock	Baby

Variant images by discord user Gianluca Zanna#0063