African Wild Dogs: Sneezing for Consensus
Introduction
African wild dogs, also known as painted dogs, are highly social animals that live in packs. Researchers have discovered a fascinating aspect of their behavior: they use sneezing as a way to vote on group decisions, such as whether or not to embark on a hunt.
Sneezing as a Voting Mechanism
Before setting out on a hunt, African wild dogs engage in a high-energy ritual called a “rally.” During this rally, the dogs wag their tails, touch heads, and run around. Researchers have observed that when there is more sneezing at a rally, the dogs are more likely to set off and start hunting.
This association suggests that sneezes function as a voting mechanism for African wild dogs. When a dominant dog in the pack initiates the rally, it takes only three sneezes for the pack to get moving. However, when subordinate members of the pack start the rally, it takes at least ten sneezes to guarantee that the hunt will happen.
Hierarchical Structure and Sneezing
African wild dogs have a complex social structure. When it comes to reproduction, the pack is deeply hierarchical, with typically only the dominant pair breeding. The rest of the pack bands together to care for the pups.
However, in other matters, such as hunting, African wild dogs are not as despotic. Dominant dogs’ sneezes may count for more, but it seems that the rest of the pack still gets a vote. This suggests that African wild dogs have a relatively egalitarian decision-making process when it comes to hunting.
Comparison to Other Animals
Sneezing as a voting mechanism is not unique to African wild dogs. Other animals also use signals to reach a consensus about when to move to a different location. For example, meerkats make “moving calls,” capuchin monkeys trill, and honeybees emit an auditory cue called a “piping signal” when they are ready to buzz to a different spot.
In many species, a certain number of signals are required before the entire group moves off. This is known as reaching a “quorum” when making collective decisions.
Implications for Understanding Social Structure
The study of African wild dog sneezing behavior has important implications for understanding their social structure. It suggests that African wild dogs have a complex and flexible decision-making process that is influenced by both hierarchy and consensus.
This research also adds to our knowledge of animal communication and the diverse ways that animals use signals to coordinate their behavior.
Additional Insights
- African wild dogs are known for their distinctive black, white, and brown coats.
- They are found in sub-Saharan Africa and live in packs of up to 40 individuals.
- African wild dogs are skilled hunters and primarily feed on gazelles, impalas, and wildebeest.
- They are facing threats from habitat loss, hunting, and disease, and their populations are declining.