This means clan members do not remain together continuously, but instead frequently forage alone or in small groups. Spotted hyenas live in a вЂњfission-fusionвЂќ society. Dominance hierarchies are passed from mothers to daughters and are maintained through co-operative alliances between individuals. Even the lowest ranking female is dominant to the highest ranking male. Within these groups females are dominant. Spotted hyenas live in large groups, sometimes up to 90. Their intelligence is likely due to their complex social system and flexible feeding habits. Observations suggest they may plan hunts in advance. With a large frontal cortex, hyenas are excellent problem solvers, sometimes even out performing great apes in problem solving tests. One of the most misunderstood animals, the spotted hyena has a reputation as being sly and cowardly, but is in fact fascinating and intelligent with a remarkable social system. The National Zoo & Aquarium is home to 5 male painted dogs. A lion only catches its prey around 10% of the time. They catch their prey between 70 вЂ“ 90% of the time. Painted dogs are among the most successful hunters in Africa. The disruptive nature of their coats makes their pack look bigger than it really is. No two dogs have the same patterned coat. They are also referred to as wild dogs, cape hunting dogs and the ornate wolf. Their scientific name, Lycaon pictus, actually means вЂpainted wolf-like animalвЂ™ in Greek. This is most likely not to attract attention of other predators. This вЂhooвЂ™ is distinctly quieter than the calls of lions and hyenas. It sounds similar to tennis shoes squeaking on a gym floor. If the dogs are separated from the pack they make a distinct bell sound called a вЂhooвЂ™ to find each other. Painted dogs communicate through high pitched sounds. Pups are often targets of lions and hyenas. Unfortunately, 70 to 90% of the pups in a litter wonвЂ™t survive.

However, all will help feed and protect the pups. Only one female, the most dominant, will breed at any one time. Within a pack, all the females will be related to each but not to the males. A pack can range in size from 2 to 27 dogs. Painted dogs, also known as wild dogs, are the most social of all dogs.

Planet zoo map