Fauna
Mammal

Dhole

Cuon alpinus

Also known as Asian Wild Dog, Asiatic Wild Dog, Red Dog, Indian Wild Dog

Dholes are highly social canids that live in tight-knit clans of up to forty individuals, cooperating seamlessly during daylight hunts to bring down prey many times their own weight. Instead of howling like wolves, they communicate using an extraordinary repertoire of bird-like whistles, clucks, and whimpers that keep the pack synchronized through dense jungle foliage. Unlike many other social carnivores where dominant pairs fight over food, dholes prioritize feeding pups and juveniles first at fresh kills.

Pack HunterSocial
Dhole reference1 / 7
(c) Ramesh Shenai Jr., some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ramesh Shenai Jr. · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyChital, Sambar, Wild Boar
Predators
  • Tiger
  • Leopard
ThreatsHabitat loss, depletion of ungulate prey base, persecution, and diseases from domestic dogs
HabitatsDense forests, scrublands, moist deciduous woods, and alpine grasslands
Life span10–13 years
Classification
  1. FamilyCanidae
  2. SpeciesCuon alpinus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskModerate
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is moderate
Powerful wild canids capable of inflicting severe bites; observe only from inside safari vehicles at a distance.
Why it is dangerous
Equipped with strong jaws and specialized shear-like shearing carnassials capable of inflicting deep puncture wounds and tearing bites.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Distinguished by an amber-red coat, dark bushy tail, rounded ear tips, and a distinctive convex facial profile.
What to do
Stay inside enclosed vehicles during sightings and immediately retreat slowly if encountered on foot.
What to notice
Recognized by their russet pelage, black-tipped brush tail, and echoing high-pitched whistling calls in tropical forests.
Support conservation
Keep safari vehicles on designated roads, minimize noise near active dens, and report any limping or sick animals to reserve staff.
Responsible observation
  • Safari Viewing: Observe packs strictly from inside guided safari vehicles within protected wildlife reserves.
  • Listen Carefully: Whistling contact calls frequently reveal moving clans long before they emerge from dense cover.
  • Respect Kills: Never approach feeding packs on foot, as protecting fresh meat triggers defensive attacks.
Related species
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…