Have you ever wondered how African wild dogs coordinate their activities, especially before embarking on a hunt?
Wild dogs employ a myriad of vocalizations and non-vocal signals to communicate within their pack, and surprisingly, sneezing plays a crucial role in their social dynamics. Yes, sneezing!
This unique behaviour is often observed during social interactions, particularly preceding a hunt. Sneezing is believed to be a form of communication to coordinate the pack’s activities.
Wild dog packs are led by an alpha male and female who handle breeding and decision-making. Despite the appearance of an authoritarian hierarchy, research suggests that the pack’s decision to go on a hunt is a democratic process, albeit with a fascinating twist.
Votes are cast by way of sneezes…
In the Okavango Delta of Botswana, researchers have discovered that decision-making involves “votes” cast through sneezes. Before a hunt, the pack engages in a lively ritual called a ‘social rally,’ initiated by a single dog. This rally transforms the pack into an energetic display of wagging tails, touching heads, muzzling, and animated dashes. The rally concludes with the pack either excitedly setting off on a hunt or dispersing for a nap.
So how is the final outcome decided?
The crucial decision is determined by sneezes, with pack members using sneezing to express their agreement to the proposal to go hunting. The more sneezes, the higher the likelihood of the pack embarking on a hunt, with the frequency peaking just before setting off.
But that’s not all…
Interestingly, the researchers observed that the higher a dog’s rank in the pack, the more influential their sneeze was. So, for example, a high-ranking pack member may have to sneeze just three times to achieve the same result as a lower-ranked member who may have to sneeze 10 times.
It appears that higher-ranking members of the pack have to sneeze less often to achieve agreement.
This is a form of democracy, modified to reflect rank. Persistent lower-ranking dogs can achieve the desired results if they are persistent, and sneeze often enough. As such, the ‘will of the group’ may override dominant preferences when the consensus of subordinates is sufficiently great.
While vocalizations like hoos, squeals, whines, and barks are more commonly associated with communication in wild dogs, the inclusion of sneezing as a communicative behaviour is an interesting aspect of their social dynamics.
Next time you are sitting with a pack of wild dogs while they are resting, try and notice if any of them start to sneeze? And how many sneezes will it take to get the pack up?
Great article! Influential sneezers!
That’s fascinating, Jess! I think wild dogs are your favourite animal?
Jess, how fascinating. I learn something new almost every week from the blogs and videos from Londolozi. Thank you for sharing the pictures and information about the wild dogs.
What a fascinating blog on wild dogs, Jess. Next time come across such a pack, I will certainly pay particular attention to their sneezing. Absolutely fascinating!
Jess, this is utterly fascinating and bizarre! Thank you for sharing these research findings. Now you have me wondering if my dog’s morning sneeze on his first walk outside is an ancient, genetic signal of his agreement to be outside? Probably not, but one never knows. 🤔
That was new news for us and we will listen for the sneezing the next time we encounter these fascinating animals!
Hi Jess, thanks for this interesting information of how the wild dogs communicate with each other by sneezing. You have really studied these dogs well and I know that they are your favorite animal. I remember well how you and James Tyrrell went to go and look for the pups and how you cried when you saw them. They are beautiful Jess and each one has their own markings which makes them even more unique. Very interesting to hear the higher they are in the hierarchy the less they sneeze.
Love this! Very interesting! Love wild dogs tho sadly the one animal we did not get to see on safari (we will be back)!
Fascinating – thanks for this interesting fact.
Fascinating! In had no idea that the dogs did this! Thanks for the lesson, Jess.
Ooh, I love this insight! But it’s more like our electoral college voting here in the US than a democracy, don’t you think?
Animals are truly amazing! Who would have thought there exists a voting system within a wild dog pack and that it is done by sneezing? Next time I’m viewing a pack, I will definitely listen more closely. Thanks for this informative article Jess.
Awesome post Jess! I love the wild dogs!