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 colour from charcoal grey 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 colouration 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
