Bush dogs are found in the Amazon basin and other parts of South America living in social groups of up to 12 individuals. Considered a cooperative canid, they sleep close to each other, feed without fighting and follow each other around their habitat.
Bush dogs hunt in packs chasing their prey into nearby water sources and towards other waiting pack members. They may be small at 25-30cm tall, but work together using their combined weight to bring down prey with their sharp incisors and strong molars.
Their fur is thick, soft and reddish brown but pups are darker to help camouflage them from predators. Packs consist of a single mating pair that breed whilst the remaining adults support the rearing of up to 6 pups at a time.
They are perfectly adapted for swimming with partially webbed feet which also stop them sinking in mud. You might hear them making some strange calling noises too, as they can be quite vocal when
they feel like it, even if they are shy! It’s one of their ways of communicating with each other and warning each other of danger.
Bush dogs are also known as vinegar dogs as their scent glands emit as smell likened to vinegar!
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