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    Lycaon – African wild dog

    One living species – the African wild dog; and extinct Lycaon sekowei of the Pleistocene epoch

    Members of this genus are distinguished from other canids because of their dentition (teeth arrangement & structure) which is highly modified for a hyper-carnivorous diet, and because of their cursorial adaptations (animal adapted explicitly for running). Genus Lycaon consists of the largest canids found in Africa.

    The sole surviving species of genus Lycaon, the African wild dog which is also known as the painted wolf is classified as endangered and is under increasing stress by human-conflict, habitat loss & fragmentation along with being plagued by diseases and high mortality rates. The numbers are continuously declining and need critical attention.