In Photos: The Majestic Painted Wolves of Zimbabwe

Traveling together

painted wolves

(Image credit: Nick Lyon/BBC America)

Painted wolves live in packs of two to 30 individuals, although most packs have around 10 members, according to the Painted Wolf Foundation. A single alpha female makes virtually all the decisions for the pack, including where to go and when to hunt.

Always on watch

painted wolves

(Image credit: Nick Lyon/BBC America)

As the leader of her pack, Tammy stays on alert for nearby threats. The painted wolves live alongside lions and other, larger predators in Mara Pools National Park.

Kimberly Hickok
Live Science Contributor

Kimberly has a bachelor's degree in marine biology from Texas A&M University, a master's degree in biology from Southeastern Louisiana University and a graduate certificate in science communication from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She is a former reference editor for Live Science and Space.com. Her work has appeared in Inside Science, News from Science, the San Jose Mercury and others. Her favorite stories include those about animals and obscurities. A Texas native, Kim now lives in a California redwood forest.