Dhole
Distribution
Central Asia
Diet
Carnivore
Habitat
Mixed forest
Latin Name
Cuon alpinus
IUCN conservation status
Smaller than a wolf, these Asian wild dogs have a long bushy tail similar to that of a fox.
Interesting informations
Strength in Numbers to Conquer Bigger Prey
A group of wild dogs can attack almost any prey, up to 10 times their size. Sambar deer, weighing around 50 kilos, can be counted among their favourite prey. Wild pigs, goats, monkeys and even rodents are also included on the menu.
A Body Designed for Endurance
Like most canids, dholes are not as fast as they’re robust: they can run up to 55 km/h and maintain this pace for several long minutes. By relaying each other during the hunt, they're able to exhaust their prey. Dholes have an excellent sense of smell.
All for One and One for All
They live in packs of about ten individuals, dominated by an alpha couple who are the only ones to reproduce. The whole clan participates in raising the pups and feeds the mother and her offspring by regurgitation. The female gives birth to an average of 8 pups, but the presence of 14 nipples implies that she can have larger litters.
A Rapidly Shrinking Distribution Range
Although they can be found in several Asian countries, current populations are small and isolated, threatening their long-term survival. Dholes have reportedly lost 75% of their original range. It's estimated that there are about 2,500 individuals capable of breeding in the wild.
