Asiatic Wild Dog (Dhole)

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About Asiatic Wild Dog (Dhole):

It is a wild canid found in the forests of central, south, and southeast Asia.
Scientific Name: Cuon alpinus
Other Names: Indian wild dog, whistling dog, red wolf, red dog and mountain wolf.
Distribution:
- They are found throughout Eastern and Southeastern Asia.
- They can be seen as far north as Siberia, as far south as some Malaysian islands, and as far west as the Indian peninsula.
- They are found in three clusters across India, namely the Western and Eastern Ghats, the central Indian landscape and North East India. The Western and Eastern Ghats is a stronghold region for dholes.
Habitat: Dholes are animals that inhabit dense jungles, steppes, mountains, scrub forests, and pine forests.
Features:
- Its length ranges between 76 and 100 cm (30 and 40 inches), exclusive of the 28–48-centimetre (11–19-inch) tail, and its weight is from 14 to 21 kg.
- They vary in color from charcoal gray to rust red to sandy beige, depending on their habitat.
- Their tail is brushy and fox-like, often with a black tip.
- They do have lighter coloration along their chest, belly, and paws.
- Dholes are highly social animals, and they frequently hunt in packs of 5 to 12. These clans may grow to as many as 30 or 40 members.
Conservation status:
- IUCN Red List: Endangered
- The Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Schedule II
- CITES: Appendix II

Q1) What are canids?

Canids are a family of mammals belonging to the order Carnivora. They are commonly known as the dog family and encompass a wide range of species, including domestic dogs, wolves, foxes, jackals, and several other wild canines.

Source: Astonishing encounter: Villagers stunned by rare sighting of Asiatic Wild Dog (Dhole) pack in Theerthahalli