Habitat – Range

African Wild Dog Distribution Status

While the African Wild Dog is most commonly known to inhabit the grasslands, savannas, and woodlands of eastern and southern Africa, as well as the African plains, they can also be found in parts of Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Swaziland, and the Transvaal of South Africa. Savannas are dry grassy areas that cover half the surface of Africa. Temperature in the Savannas range 68 to 86 degrees F. The Savannas have a wet summer season of 6 to 8 months and a dry winter season of 4 to 6 months, with an annual rainfall of 10 to 30 inches per year.

African Wild Dog in the Savanas

Many different species and animals inhabit the African Savannas, including the African Savanna Hare, the African Bush Elephant, and the Roan Antelope.

Savanna Hare

African Bush Elephant

Roan Antelope

The Grasslands in which the African Wild Dogs inhabit are temperate grasslands with big rolling terrains made up of flowers, grass, and herbs. In every grassland, soil, latitude, and local climates all determine what kind of plants grow in every specific grassland. The grasslands have two seasons: “growing season” and “dormant season,” with an average rainfall of 10 to 30 inches a year. In the summer growing seasons, temperatures can be as high as 100ºF, and during the winter dormant seasons, temperatures can be as low as -40ºF.

African Wild Dog in the Grasslands

Two African Wild Dogs in the Grasslands

Woodlands are warm, low-density forests with lots of sunlight and minimal shade. The woodlands that African Wild Dogs inhabit are very warm and temperate with an average annual temperature of 48ºF, and an average rainfall of 8 to 39 inches a year.

Two African Wild Dogs in the Woodlands