11th Place: African Painted Dog (the Dog)

The next animal to finish the race was the loyal dog. Despite being quick and a great swimmer, the dog was one of the last animals to finish the race because it starting bathing and playing in the water, which allowed many animals to pass him. The dog is the eleventh animal in the lunar cycle.

African Painted Dogs are a species of canid native to the open plains and savannahs of Africa. Like many other wild canines, painted dogs live in a pack with one dominant pair, sometimes called the alpha pair, leading the group. Food sharing is a huge part of pack life, as healthy adults will assist young pups, older, and injured pack members by regurgitating meat for them.

Continue Your Journey at the Visayan Warty Pig Exhibit.

The Utica Zoo is closed for Thanksgiving (11/23)! Happy Thanksgiving from all of our staff and animals!

The Zoo will re-open on 11/24 at 10 am.