Mammalia > Carnivora > Canidae > Cuon
Cuon alpinus Pallas, 1811 – Asiatic Wild Dog
Taxonomic Notes:
It is also known as Dhole or Indian Wild Dog. There are seven subspecies recognized namely: C. a. alpinus, C. a. adjustus, C. a. fumosus, C. a. hesperius, C. a. laniger, C. a. lepturus, C. a. sumatrensis. Nevertheless, in the absence of enough molecular and morphological evidences this subspecies recognition is debated.
This species is listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (https://www.iucnredlist.org/).
Cuon alpinus – Asiatic Wild Dog
Juveniles:
Indian and global distribution:
records (based on images):
Identification:
Sexual, seasonal & individual variation:
Status, Habitat and Habits:
Indian Wild Dog has vast distribution in central, south and southeast Asia. It is widely distributed all over India. It inhabits wide range of habitats i.e. evergreen and semievergreen forests, deciduous and semi-deciduous forests, alpine forests and steppe. It is a highly social species that forms tight packs. They hunt in packs as well as in pairs depending on the size of prey. Its diet include herbivores as small as young fawn of spotted deer to large herbivores like adult Sambar stag. It is known for its high endurance and perseverance especially while they hunt, whihc can even go for hours. It rarely takes to livestock.
Conservation Status:
This species is listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (https://www.iucnredlist.org/).
According to IUCN Red List assessment, population of this species is decreasing all over its range. It is estimated to have between 950 and 2500 individuals. Threat to its survival come from habitat loss, fragmentation, loss of prey, hunting, trapping, occasional retaliatory killing. Wildlife diseases such as rabies also pose threat to its survival in wild.
Conservation Status:
This species is listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (https://www.iucnredlist.org/).According to IUCN Red List assessment, population of this species is decreasing all over its range. It is estimated to have between 950 and 2500 individuals. Threat to its survival come from habitat loss, fragmentation, loss of prey, hunting, trapping, occasional retaliatory killing. Wildlife diseases such as rabies also pose threat to its survival in wild.
References:
Mammalia > Carnivora > Canidae > Cuon
Cite this page along with its URL as:
Bayani, A. 2023. Cuon alpinus Pallas, 1811 – Asiatic Wild Dog. A. Bayani, R. Chakravarty, P. Roy, and K. Kunte (editors). Mammals of India, v. 1.13. editors.
http://www.mammalsofindia.org/sp/380/Cuon-alpinus
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