Gold Coin AFRICAN PAINTED WOLVES 2012 - 1/2 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 behaviour 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. 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. Nice and perfect gift!

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