What kind of animal is the world’s famous canine dhole (red wolf)? We will explain its wild characteristics, ecology, habitat, and breeding. Dholes are very famous carnivorous animals that live in various parts of the Eurasian continent, including Kazakhstan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Indonesia, Russia, and China.
What is a Dhole (Red Wolf)? Basic Stats
The Dhole (red wolf) is a carnivorous animal classified in the Mammalia, Carnivora, Canidae, Dhole genus. Its scientific name is Cuon alpinus, and its English names are Dhole, Asian wild dog, and Indian wild dog, written in kanji as 豺. Its body length is 70–110cm, its weight is 10–20kg, and its tail length is 40–50cm. The list of information is as follows. There are subspecies such as the American red wolf.
| Japanese（和名） | ドール（アカオオカミ） |
| English（英名） | Dhole Asian wild dog Indian wild dog |
| scientific name(学名) | Cuon alpinus |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、Carnivora、 Canidae、Cuon 哺乳綱、食肉目、イヌ科、ドール属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | ENDANGERED |
| Length（体長） | 70– 110cm |
| Weight（体重） | 10 – 20kg |
Taxonomic position
Dholes are carnivorous animals belonging to the Canidae family, and are closely related to wolves and dogs, but they are a species with their own unique characteristics.
- ドメイン：真核生物（Eukaryota）
- 界：動物界（Animalia）
- 門：脊索動物門（Chordata）
- 亜門：脊椎動物亜門（Vertebrata）
- 綱：哺乳綱（Mammalia）
- 目：食肉目（Carnivora）
- 亜目：イヌ亜目（Caniformia）
- 科：イヌ科（Canidae）
- 属：ドール属（Cuon）
- 種：ドール（Cuon alpinus）
Habitat
Wild dholes are found in a fairly wide range of habitats, including Kazakhstan, Russia, China, and Southeast Asia, and there are records of their movements in Europe and Asia.
① Geographic Distribution (Where do they live)
Dholes are canids found only in Asia.
Main Distribution Areas
South Asia:
India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh
Southeast Asia:
Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia
Southern China
Indonesia:
Sumatra, Java
*Dholes once had a more widespread distribution, but their distribution is now fragmented.
② Habitat (Preferred Locations)
Dholes are highly adaptable to their environment and live in a variety of forest environments.
Main Habitats
Tropical Rainforests
Subtropical Forests
Deciduous Broadleaf Forests
Coniferous Forests
Savanna Forests
Mountain Forests
These are particularly important conditions:
Abundant prey (deer, wild boar, etc.)
Relatively little human disturbance
Spacious enough for herds to roam.
③ Altitudinal Range
Dholes are adapted to a very wide range of elevations.
Lowland tropical forests: Several dozen meters above sea level
Mountainous regions: Species have been spotted up to 4,000 meters above sea level (Himalayan)
➡ They adapt to cold environments at high altitudes and hot, humid environments at low altitudes.
④ Habitat utilization (relationship with behavior)
They have a wide home range in groups
→ Can span tens to hundreds of kilometers
They do not use fixed burrows
→ They use rock shelters, fallen trees, and other animals’ burrows only during the breeding season
Tends to avoid human settlements
→ They are prone to disappearing in areas with high human activity
What are its characteristics? What kind of creature is it?
Dholes look like medium-sized wolves. They are often called red wolves because of their reddish-brown or yellowish-brown fur. Males are larger. Compared to wolves, dholes have short limbs, rounded ears, and thick, short snouts. Dholes can live in a variety of environments, including mountains, forests, and rocky areas. Dholes are mainly active during the day, but sometimes at night.
① Physical Characteristics (Appearance)
Body Length: 90-110cm
Weight: 10-20kg (about the same size as a medium-sized dog)
Body Type: Slender, long-legged, and well-suited for running
Coat Color:
Reddish-brown to reddish-brown (hence the name)
The abdomen and chest are slightly lighter in color
Face:
Short muzzle
Rounded ears give the impression of a cross between a fox and a wolf
Tail:
Buggy, with a black tip
👉 Overall, the face resembles a “red wolf-like fox face.”
② Behavior/Personality (Very Important)
Highly social
Live in packs (clans)
Strong pack bonds
Priority care for injured members and young ones
Cooperative rather than aggressive
Few conflicts within the pack
Hierarchical relationships exist, but are not as strict as those of wolves
Frequent communication through calls and body movements
③ Unique calls
Dholes rarely howl. Instead, they communicate with their companions using a high-pitched, whistling sound
High-pitched squeal
Serious short calls.
👉 This sound is ideal for communicating location in the forest.
④ Hunting Style (Very Distinctive)
Endurance battles in packs
Cornering and tiring prey
They also target larger prey, such as deer and wild boar
Differences from other canids
Wolves: Aim for the throat with a single blow
Dogs: Attack multiple individuals in succession to ensure a kill
- While this behavior is often misunderstood as “cruel,” it is actually rational in the natural world.
What is their personality like?
Dholes usually live in groups of several to 10 individuals, so they are very social and cooperative. Sometimes groups of about 50 individuals gather together. They sometimes cooperate to kill prey.
① Basic Personality
Overall, they prioritize their companions
Strong pack cohesion
Priority on young and weaker individuals when it comes to food
Do not abandon injured companions
👉 They prioritize the “group over the individual.”
② Low aggression
Less intra-pack conflict than wolves
Avoids pointless fights
Even dominant individuals are reserved in their intimidating behavior
➡ Fairly peaceful among canids
③ Cautious and timid
Strongly avoids humans
Prefers forests to open areas
Retreats immediately if they sense danger
👉 More “cautious” than “brave.”
④ Highly social and intelligent
Keeps a close eye on their companions
Frequently communicates through vocalizations, facial expressions, and gestures
Flexibility to adapt behavior to suit the situation
➡ Highly skilled at “reading the mood”
⑤ They are very cooperative in raising their young.
The entire group raises their young.
Individuals other than the parents also bring food.
They are very protective of their young.
👉 This is an ideal cooperative parenting style.
What is their ecology like?
Dholes are mostly carnivorous, and in addition to small animals, they can also kill bears in groups. They also eat reptiles, insects, and fruit. They reproduce viviparously. In India, they mate from September to November. They make their nests in natural terrain, such as between rocks. The gestation period is two months and they can give birth to one baby at a time. They nurse for two months and have a lifespan of about 10 years.
① Social Structure (Group Living)
Live in groups (approximately 5-12 individuals)
- Can number as many as 20 or more
Family structure centered around blood kin
Low conflict within the group
Has a clear leader, but the dominance is moderate
👉 A very stable, cooperative society.
② Home Range and Lifestyle
Home Range: Dozens to Hundreds of km²
Mainly diurnal to crepuscular
Live a wide range of activities within the forest, moving around freely
Uses burrows only during the breeding season
③ Diet (What do they eat?)
Mainly carnivorous
Deer
Wild boar
Rabbits and rodents
Birds (rare)
Hunting Characteristics
Endurance hunting in groups
Divided roles
Strategy to deplete prey’s stamina
- Almost no plants are eaten.
④ Breeding and Rearing
Breeding Season: Varies by region (usually winter to spring)
Gestation Period: Approximately 60 days
Litter Size: 4-8 pups
Breeding Holes: Shade of rocks, fallen trees, holes of other animals
Characteristics:
Raising of young by the entire group
Adults regurgitate food for their young
High survival rate of young
⑤ Lifespan
Wild: Approximately 10 years
Captive: Up to 15-16 years
Do they have any natural predators?
Dholes’ natural predators include eagles and hawks.
About Dhole (Red Wolf) Pups
Dhole (Red Wolf) pups (young) are very distinctive in appearance and behavior.
A key feature is that they are raised by the entire pack until they reach adulthood.
① Pups immediately after birth
Birth: Although this varies by region, it is usually winter to spring.
Litter size: 4-8 pups (up to 10 in some cases)
Weight: Approximately 300-400g
Eyes: Eyes open around 2 weeks after birth
Coat color:
Black to dark brown
Completely different from the reddish brown of adult wolf pups
👉 They look more like “dark puppies.”
② Life in the den (very important)
They do not leave the den for the first few weeks after birth.
Den dens are found in the shade of rocks, fallen trees, or old holes made by other animals.
Not just the mother, but the entire pack defends them.
➡ Due to the high predator population, they are thoroughly guarded.
③ Nursing and Dietary Changes
Nursing Period
Mother’s Breast Milk Only
Extremely Rapid Growth
Weaning Period (1.5-2 Months)
Adults Regurgitate Meat
Other Individuals Participate in Feeding
👉 Symbolic Behavior of “Communal Parenting”
④ Play and Learning
Active Play Around the Burrow
Playing and Chasing
Through Play
Learning Biting Techniques
Body Movement
Pack Rules
⑤ Hunting Practice
Accompanying the Pack at 3-4 Months of Age
Do Not Start Hunting Immediately
First Observation and Tracking
Gradually Acquiring Roles
➡ Learning Over a Period of 6 Months to 1 Year Until Adulthood
⑥ Survival Rate and Protection
Infant Mortality Rate is High in the Wild
Burrow Destruction and Infectious Diseases are Major Threats
Survival Rate Increases Through Cooperation Within the Pack
Is the dhole (red wolf) an endangered species?
The dhole (red wolf) is designated as an endangered species. This is all due to humans, and the destruction of habitat is the biggest problem. Due to the decrease in forest areas, the number of individuals that can live is rapidly decreasing. In addition, because they attack humans and eat crops, they are often exterminated as pests, and their numbers are rapidly decreasing. Since the CITES came into effect in 1975, it has been listed in Appendix II of the CITES.
🌍 Threat Assessment
📌 The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List classifies the dhole as “Endangered,” which means it is at high risk of extinction globally.
The estimated mature population is less than 2,500 individuals.
The population is assessed as declining in most regions.
📉 Primary Causes of Decline
The dhole is endangered due to a combination of multiple threats.
🐾 1. Habitat Destruction and Fragmentation
Logging, conversion to agriculture, and development are causing significant loss of the vast forests in which dholes can live.
🍖 2. Decline in Prey
Due to overhunting and environmental degradation, primary prey such as deer and wild boar are declining,
and an increasing number of areas lack sufficient food resources for dholes.
🐕 3. Disease Transmission
Wild dholes are susceptible to diseases (e.g., canine distemper) transmitted by livestock and domestic dogs,
which has led to local population declines.
🤝 4. Conflict with Humans
It has been reported that dholes are sometimes exterminated by humans as pests due to predation on livestock.
🐺 Distribution Changes
Historically, they were widely distributed throughout Asia,
but their distribution is now fragmented, with few contiguous habitats.
They have already disappeared in many areas, remaining only in limited forest patches.
📜 Legal Protection
IUCN Red List: Endangered (EN)
Also listed under CITES Appendix II (Subject to international trade restrictions)
→ International commercial trade is restricted.
Can you keep a dhole (red wolf) as a pet?
The dhole (red wolf) is designated as an endangered species and is listed in the CITES, and international trade is restricted, so it is extremely difficult for ordinary people to keep it as a pet. See it at a zoo. Details can currently be found at the bottom of the webpage. Research on its behavior is also progressing.
① Can I legally keep them as pets?
❌ Private pet ownership is prohibited.
Dholes are listed on the IUCN Red List as Endangered (EN)
Listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
→ International trade and import are strictly controlled.
In Japan,
Importing and keeping them as pets is virtually impossible for individuals.
⭕ Where can they be kept?
Zoos
Research institutions
Only in facilities with government permission.
👉 Moreover, this is only for the purpose of species conservation and research, not “exhibition.”
② Ecological reasons why they are “unsuitable” for keeping.
Even if you ignore the law,
dholes cannot be kept as pets.
🐺 They are too gregarious
Keeping them alone is extremely stressful
They ideally live in groups of 5-10 or more
They cannot substitute humans for family
🌲 Their home range is too large
Home range: Dozens to hundreds of km²
They are prone to abnormal behavior in small spaces
🍖 They are completely carnivorous and have a hunting instinct
They need to chase, bite, and kill prey
Commercial food does not satisfy their emotional needs
③ Their personality makes them unsuitable as pets
They are difficult to tame
They are difficult to train
They are timid, but can be dangerous if cornered
They suddenly become very wild when they reach adulthood
👉 Even young animals are “fully wild once they grow up.”
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