African wild dogs have highly variable coat colors with blotches of black, white and orange or yellow. However, the tip of the tail is almost always white and the muzzle is always black.

Their bodies are thin and muscular and their heads are powerful with strong jaws and sharp, shearing teeth. They are excellent runners and have great endurance allowing a long chase. Vision is their most important sense as it's used for locating prey.

 Longevity
Wild dogs are relatively short-lived for such a large mammal. In the wild, few survive as long as 10 years although in a zoo, they do have a longer lifespan.

Reproduction
Although all pack members assist in the care of youngsters, only the dominant male and female breed. Sexual maturity is attained between 12-18 months. After a gestation period lasting approximately 70 days, the female gives birth to a litter of six - 10 pups.  The pups are helpless until their eyes open, usually at about three weeks. They then will emerge from their den and eat solid food which has been regurgitated by all of the adults in the pack. They wean at 10-12 weeks.

Behavior

Pups and youngsters are fed by parents and other pack members via regurgitation after a hunt. Unlike most group-living mammals, females usually leave their birth group while males more commonly stay behind to babysit.  Hunting, usually at dawn and dusk, is a cooperative effort.

Adaptations
African wild dogs hunt through long chases that tire out the intended prey. They are able to run at speeds of 30 miles per hour or more for as far as three miles.

African wild dog's excellent eyesight is used for locating prey. Their legs are long and slender contributing to their speed in the chase. They have large, rounded ears that allow excellent hearing.