Animals with a Dominant Breeding Pair

Question 1

What is the strict ranking system within African wild dogs?

Answer 1

• it is led by the dominant alpha male and female who stay mates for life and prevent other females from breeding
• therefore they are the the only members of the pack that breed

Question 2

What happens to the offspring of African wild dogs?

Answer 2

• the females reach sexual maturity at 18 months to 2 years, at which point they leave to join a new pack
• the males remain with their pack for the rest of their lives

Question 3

What are the benefits of the type of social organisation practised by wild dogs?

Answer 3

• the dominant pair keeps the pack under control which operates as a highly successful unit to ensure the survival of the species
• raising the pups and caring for the old or sick is a group task
• subordinate members of the group benefit in that they have access to mates and other shared resources