Endangered
Dhole
(Cuon alpinus)
Sumatran Island Lowland and Montane Forests
STATISTICS
Height up to
50 cm
Length up to
90 cm
Weight up to
21 kgs
Lifespan
16 years
Pack Hunter - Social - Capable Swimmer - Strong Sense of Smell
The Dhole has a rusty red coat with a pale underside and a dark bushy tail. This highly social species lives and hunts cooperatively in packs, similar to the African Wild Dog. The pack consists of 5 – 12 members, with more males than females. There is a strict hierarchy within the pack, with a dominant monogamous pair. The gestation period is 62 days and the mother gives birth to approximately eight pups at a time.
The Dhole will fiercely defend its pack’s territory and is able to kill animals up to 10 times its own size, assisted by capable swimming abilities. This species predominantly hunts in the day, using its sense of smell to locate prey. An omnivore, the Dhole feeds on species such as deer and wild sheep but also eats berries, insects and lizards.
BIODIVERSITY BENEFIT
Prey Population Control
THREATS
Depletion of Prey
Due to over-hunting by humans.
Habitat Loss and Degradation
Due to logging, palm and rubber plantations, agriculture expansion, rural biomass extraction, livestock grazing and major infrastructure expansion.
Persecution
Retaliatory killings due to livestock predation.
Disease
Susceptible to rabies, canine distemper, canine parvovirus and sarcoptic mange.
Competition with Other Species
Competition with tigers and leopards for food.
PROTECT THE WILDARK 100
