The wild dog puppies are now 9weeks old!
All the dogs are still going strong. 8 adults and 11 puppies.
They’ve moved den twice in the last week and will probably be moving more often now as the pups become more adventurous and are moving further and further a field. They’re still too young to follow the adults on the hunt but in a few weeks they’ll probably be out there.
Puzzles is still suckling her pups but only a couple of times a day as her milk is now drying up.
The puppies are now true meat eaters and continue to walk around with oversized tummies from the successful hunting adventures of the rest of the pack.
It’s only about 1 in 10 days that puppies don’t get fed, but they sure make up for it on the other 9 days as their tummies are permanently swollen.
I can’t wait for the dogs to leave the hills and start their nomadic lives again. I feel I’ve been couped in up their for too long now.
The pups colours are now really beginning to change with the browns coming out of the blacks. And then it’s time to try and find ID features so I can name them all. Already we have a Domino, Dice and Delta. I’m still not sure of sexes of all the pups.
Thankfully the lions have stayed away from the dens although I have seen their tracks again on the track near the den.
All is well in the wild dog world and Puzzles continues to be single. Neither Chevvy nor Kodak are showing any signs of flirting with their mother. No doubt when she comes into oestrus next year things will change.
Cheers
Kim
Almost done milk feeding! My, they grew up so fast. Soon enough they will be hunting in their own right.
I am interested, actually surprised, to learn that Puzzles would mate with one of her offspring. Wouldn’t this practice result in weakening the long term bloodline of the species? We don’t know if Puzzles and Jiggy were brother and sister. It seems contrary to the preservation of a species. I may be answering my own question by considering that any weak offspring from a closely related pairing would be removed by natural selection. I’d be interested to learn what you have observed in this regard, Kim.
I had the same reaction as Junebug. Also, do you know of any experiences with translocation of wild dogs to enhance genetic diversity, and whether these have been successful? Thanks.
I could watch the antics of elephants for hours! They are so smart the way they cover their bodies with mud. I am thrilled to see how well the puppies are doing. They are such endangered beautiful creatures any opportunity to see them is so special. Thanks!!!
inbreeding does happen naturally in wildlife. i’ve seen it in leopards several times. Mother mating with son. And daughter mating with father.
so these things do happen in the natural world. i think it’s only if it happens repeatedly that you get problems. And yes i’m sure if the offspring was weaker in whatever way, it wouldn’t survive.
Wild dogs have been translocated, but I’m not sure about them being used for new genetic diversity. I’m sure it should work.
Breeding oppurtunities seem to be very rare,especially in the wild dogs system. So that im sure somebody will take the chance when it arises ?!
It’s a really interesting situation here ,… i’m eager to see how it pans out.
I wonder how the sub-boys will decide on who gets alpha male position
Was wondering if Whiskey made a surprise appearance…
With his survival genes and puzzles good looks there could be some awesome pups in batch 3 next year
Well i can daydream !
good article thx guys perfect work about wild dog pupies