Asiatic wild dog photo Cuon Alpinus
Predator Conservation Trust:Dhole information: Asiatic Wild Dog: Cuon
Dholes live in packs which typically consist of between 5 and 12 individuals.
Their home ranges vary in size depending on the availability of prey and range
from 23 to 83 square kilometres. Several packs may come together
infrequently to form larger temporary groups, particularly during the breeding
season. The males in the pack have a dominance structure, but it is
unclear if females have a similar dominance structure.
PREY
In India, Dholes prey on Sambar, Chital, swamp deer, nilgai, blackbuck, gaur,
wild pigs, ground dwelling birds and rodents. Chital make up the majority
of their diet. In Siberia their diet includes Reindeer and in Tibet they
are known to prey on sheep. Dholes hunt in packs and cooperate to catch
their prey which they kill by eviscerating it in a similar way to how African
Wild Dogs kill their prey.
REPRODUCTION
Dholes have a gestation period of approximately 63 days. The young are
born in an underground den with up to ten pups in a litter (although 4 is more
usual). When giving birth and raising young, several females in the pack
may share a single den. Once the pups are weaned, the entire pack will
regurgitate food for the young. When the pack goes out hunting, some
members will remain behind to guard the young pups in the den. The pups
remain in and around the den for the first ten weeks of their lives, and by
seven months old they are able to join the rest of the pack on hunts. The
young are mature at 1 year old.
|
