AFRICAN PAINTED WOLVES Four Gold Coin Set 2012 - 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz

The 2012 pure gold Natura coin series features "Nature’s Families" as the theme and depicts the Painted Wolf of Africa, also known as the African Wild Dog. Their scientic name Lycaon pictus is derived from the Greek for "wolf " and the Latin for "painted". Each animal has an irregular mottled coat, the tan, black and white patterns unique to each individual. Although their behavior is similar to that of the wolf of the northern hemisphere, they differ from dogs and wolves in that they have only four, not five, toes on each foot. Their large rounded ears are characteristic and contribute to an extremely acute sense of hearing. These slim, long-legged hunters are extremely social animals and live in closely knit packs lead by an alpha pair. On each of the four Natura coin reverses, a different aspect of their lives is portrayed. The common obverse of the series depicts the silhouetted shapes of a pack of African Painted Wolves at a river. On the R100 (1oz) Natura coin, two adults are shown patrolling the pack’s home range. The African Painted Wolves are great roamers and need large territories. These territories vary in size depending on the number of pack members and the nature of the terrain. Due to human encroachment on their natural territory, there are only a few free roaming wild packs in existence which live outside the protection of national parks and reserves. An alpha female and her pups are featured on the reverse of the R50 (1/2 oz) Natura coin. Typically the alpha pair breeds and after gestation period of two and a half months, a litter of seven to fourteen pups is born. They remain underground in the burrow for the first two months of their lives.  The pups are the center of attention and all pack members take part in caring, feeding and protecting them. The reverse of the R20 (1/4 oz) Natura coin portrays two African Painted Wolves feasting on their prey. The African Painted Wolves hunt in packs and collaborate as a team to chase and wear out their prey. Once the prey is exhausted the African Painted Wolves kill it fast and efficiently. Their diet includes antelope, zebra and warthog which they supplement with rodents and birds. The reverse of the R10 (1/10th oz) Natura coin portrays an alpha female. There are female and male hierarchies within a pack. The oldest female in the group will have alpha status over her daughters and sisters, as will the alpha male over his brothers and sons. As the dominant female she will be the only one to mate with the alpha male. Nice and perfect gift!

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