Dhole [EN]
Cuon alpinus
[Scientific name]
जंगली कुत्ता
[Hindi]
ಕಾಡು ನಾಯಿ
[Kannada]
豺
[Mandarin]
The dhole (Cuon alpinus) is a large canid found in disconnected patches across South, East and Southeast Asia. Their dentition is unique among Canidae, with one fewer lower molar, and usually have six or seven pairs of mammae, rather than the five pairs typical of their genus. Dholes are communal hunters, occasionally forming male-biased packs of over 30 animals, but more often hunting in groups of <10, or even alone, targeting ungulates such as spotted deer and sambar. Dhole packs are known to compete with tigers and leopards for prey.
POPULATION TREND
DECREASING
HABITAT & ECOLOGY
Forest • Grassland • Rocky Areas • Shrubland