![Nature](https://image.pbs.org/contentchannels/sgZceVW-white-logo-41-ZMqyFVU.png?format=webp&resize=200x)
African Wild Dogs Vote with Sneezes
Clip: Season 41 Episode 8 | 2m 58sVideo has Closed Captions
How does a pack of African wild dogs make the decision that it is time to hunt?
How does a pack of African wild dogs make the decision that it is time to hunt? One study found that packs vote on a hunt by sneezing.
Major support for NATURE is provided by The Arnhold Family in memory of Henry and Clarisse Arnhold, The Fairweather Foundation, Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III, Kate W. Cassidy Foundation, Kathy...
![Nature](https://image.pbs.org/contentchannels/sgZceVW-white-logo-41-ZMqyFVU.png?format=webp&resize=200x)
African Wild Dogs Vote with Sneezes
Clip: Season 41 Episode 8 | 2m 58sVideo has Closed Captions
How does a pack of African wild dogs make the decision that it is time to hunt? One study found that packs vote on a hunt by sneezing.
How to Watch Nature
Nature is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Buy Now
![Explore More Ways to Watch](https://image.pbs.org/curate-console/38f9de26-4a64-4636-b6c2-004d49264e17.jpg?format=webp&resize=860x)
Explore More Ways to Watch
Bring the beauty and wonders of wildlife and natural history into your home with classic NATURE episodes.Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship- [Narrator] A herd of buffalo.
They're far too big for one dog to take on alone, who could easily kill a single wild dog.
If they are to eat, they need the whole pack.
(bird croaks gutturally) But how does a group of 11 dogs make the decision that now is the right time to hunt?
(dogs chattering in high pitch squeaks) The secret is a pre-hunt rally.
The whole pack performs high energy, almost play-like behavior, the dog version of a pre-match huddle, getting each family member in sync and fired up.
(chattering continues) But scientists studying the ninja pack and the other wild dog packs in Okavango have discovered something even more intriguing.
(dog sneezes) Just before and during a rally, the dogs begin to sneeze.
(sneezing continues) There are several theories as to why the dogs do this, but one study suggests it could, believe it or not, be a complex voting system.
If there are enough sneezes, the pack will be more likely to move off and hunt.
If not, they will stay and rest.
Sneezing completed, the decision is made.
The hunt is on.
African wild dogs can cover over six miles a day in search of food.
A herd of impala.
The pack sets off in pursuit, led by the subordinate female.
(animals braying) (dogs chattering) And working together, they've made a kill.
Attempting to Film African Wild Dogs in the Flooded Okavango
Video has Closed Captions
African wild dogs proved to be one of the toughest species to film. (7m 39s)
Video has Closed Captions
In the highlands, the Ethiopian wolf’s staple diet is rodents. (2m 8s)
Preview of Dogs in the Wild: Secrets of Success
Video has Closed Captions
How do wild dogs survive and thrive in the wild? (30s)
Small-toothed Dog Dad Teaches Pups to Hunt
Video has Closed Captions
A small-toothed dog dad teaches his pups how to hunt for termites. (3m 4s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipMajor support for NATURE is provided by The Arnhold Family in memory of Henry and Clarisse Arnhold, The Fairweather Foundation, Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III, Kate W. Cassidy Foundation, Kathy...