Watch These Cunning Wild Dogs Outsmart a Hungry Lioness - A-Z Animals

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Key Points:

• African wild dogs are ruthless pack hunters with an 80% success rate.
• Lions occasionally hunt African wild dogs, but usually when separated from their pack.
• African wild dogs are distance runners who track their prey for approximately 3 miles.

It’s hard to imagine a scenario where African wild dogs, Africa’s most proficient hunter, are on the losing end of a battle. Alas, they found themselves in a dangerous encounter with a hungry lioness. Nature shows us how important it is to respect the natural pecking order, and these wild dogs learned that the hard way against an apex predator.

In the video above, a big cat approaches a group of wild dogs. Next, the lioness launches her attack and captures a pack member. Clamped in her jaws, she looks to finish off her kill. However, this ingenious pack of dogs had their own plan. In an impressive effort to save the pack member, these brilliant dogs circle the lioness and move in on her. This strategy paid off tremendously. As she is distracted, the lioness drops the wild dog, and it makes a quick escape. Out for revenge, the pack swarms the lioness again. However, her strength and power made them move cautiously. The lioness took on all challengers and charged anyone who would dare to get too close. They had to respect her title as one of wildlife’s most deadly forces. They might not have received their revenge, but at least they left the scene with their pack intact. Continue reading to learn more about the behavior of these brilliant canines, and discover how often a showdown like this happens.

Do Wild Dogs Usually Work in Teams?

African wild dogs are unbelievably skilled hunters, and that is because they work so well together in packs. In fact, they have a hunting success rate of 80%! They are in synch because they are highly sociable. Apart from hunting, they work together to raise each other’s pups, and they will help mend each other back to health. Furthermore, African wild dogs are endurance athletes. They have no problem playing the long game. Moving up to 41 miles per hour, these hunting dogs can track their prey for approximately 3 miles. They can pull this off because of their lung capacity, large lungs and heart, and enlarged nasal passages. That’s enough to wear out even the most well-conditioned athletes among us, especially when chased by a group of relentless hunters like these.

How Often Do Lions Hunt Wild Dogs?

While African wild dogs have very few natural predators to worry about, lions are one of them. Lions are at the top of the food chain for a reason. This isn’t solely because of their brute force (powerful jaws, teeth, and claws) but also due to their savvy, calculated nature. Lions are always looking to exploit weaknesses. Occasionally, a pride might spot a wild dog separated from their pack. Or, in the case of the above video, they are daring enough to take on an entire pack solo. If we had to assume, the lioness likely missed a few meals and was desperate for food. Unfortunately for her, these skilled dogs overcame her plan.