a-dhole-stands-alert-in-a-grassy-forest-clearing
The dhole, or Indian wild dog, is a highly social pack-hunting canid native to Central, South, and Southeast Asia. Dholes are exceptional cooperative hunters capable of taking down prey many times their own size, including deer and gaur, by working in coordinated packs. Classified as Endangered, the dhole faces threats from habitat loss, prey depletion, and disease transmission from domestic dogs.
Average Length
1.1 m
Average Weight
15 kg
Lifespan
10 years
Top Speed
55 km/h
Quick Facts
Dholes are cooperative hunters capable of taking down prey many times their size, including sambar and gaur.
They communicate through an unusual whistle-like call unlike any other canid.
A dhole pack's coordinated hunting strategy is comparable in effectiveness to that of African wild dogs.
Mudumalai and Nagarhole in South India are among the best places to observe dholes.
Habitat & Range
Habitats
Regions
Behavior & Reproduction
Activity Pattern
Diurnal
Social Structure
Packs of 5-12 individuals
Gestation Period
63 days
Litter Size
5
Predators
Tigers, Leopards, Humans
Found in Parks
Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve
Karnataka
Jim Corbett National Park
Uttarakhand
Kanha National Park
Madhya Pradesh
Pench National Park
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra
Mudumalai National Park
Tamil Nadu
Namdapha National Park
Arunachal Pradesh
Bandipur National Park
Karnataka
Melghat Tiger Reserve
Maharashtra
Indravati National Park
Chhattisgarh
Nagarhole National Park
Karnataka
Bandhavgarh National Park
Madhya Pradesh
Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve
Maharashtra
Periyar National Park
Kerala
Panna National Park
Madhya Pradesh
Rajaji National Park
Uttarakhand