Lycaon Pictus is a scientific name for the African wild dog. It is also known by various other names like African painted dog, Cape hunting dog, and painted wolf. The African wild dog is a highly social animal found in the savannas and forests of sub-Saharan Africa. They are distinguished by their unique coat pattern and are considered an endangered species due to habitat loss and human activities like hunting and disease transmission. Despite their name, African wild dogs are not closely related to domestic dogs or wolves. Instead, they are more closely related to hyenas and mongooses. These fascinating creatures play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of their habitats.