The Dhole (Cuo n
alpinus), also known as the Asiatic Wild Dog, Indian Wild Dog, or Red
Dog, is a species of Asian canid, and the only member of the genus Cuon.
The Dhole has many physical similarities to the African Wild Dog and the
Bush Dog, most notably in the redundancy of the post-carnassial molars,
though whether this is an example of convergence or close relationship
is a matter of debate.The Dhole typically weighs 12–20 kilograms
(26–44 lb) and measures 90 centimetres (35 in) in body length and 50
centimetres (20 in) shoulder height. The tail measures 40–45 centimetres
(16–18 in) in length.There is little sexual dimorphism.The Dhole has a
broad, domed skull and a short, broad muzzle. The bones of the forehead
and upper jaw are "swollen", producing a dish-faced profile. The hooded
eyes have amber or light brown irises, and the ears are large and
rounded.[citation needed]
The pelage of the back and flanks is red to brown in colour, while
the foreneck, chest and undersides are white or lightly gingered.The fur
of specimens from southern ranges is typically short and rusty red,
while that of more northern subspecies is longer and more yellow or
brown in colour.Dholes from Thailand are more uniform brown, and lack
the typical lighter throat and chest, while those from Himalayan regions
have more yellowish fur.
Dhole dentition is unique among canids, by the fact that it has one
fewer lower molars, amounting to 40 teeth rather than the more usual 42
of other species. Its lower carnassials also sport only one cusp (two is
more usual for canids), an adaptation thought to improve shearing
ability, thus allowing it to compete more successfully with
kleptoparasites.Its front pawpads are fused at the base. Females have
6-7 pairs of mammae, as opposed to the more usual five present in other
canid species.The chromosome number is 2n = 78.
Reproduction
Sexual dimorphism is not very distinct with no quantitative
anatomical differences known. Both males and females become sexually
active at one year old, though females usually breed at 2 years in
captivity, and in the wild, for the first time at 3 years, possibly due
to physiological and behavioural restraints. Females exhibit seasonal
polyoestrus, with a cycle of around 4–6 weeks. Pups are born throughout
the end of fall, winter, and the first spring months ( November - March
) - dens are earthen burrows, or are constructed amongst rocks and
boulder structures, in rocky caverns, or close to streambeds. In East
Java, the Dhole is thought to mate mainly between January and May.
Unlike some other canid species, the Dhole does not engage in a
copulatory tie when mating.Also, mating is not as restricted to certain
individuals as it is in wolf packs, in which usually only the dominant
pair can breed.
After a gestation period of around 60–62 days, females usually give
birth to about eight pups (though the range is 5-10, the record is 12,
and sizes vary drastically within the same pack through different
years), which weigh 200-350g. Dhole growth rate is faster than that of
wolves, being similar in length to that of the coyote.At 10 days their
body weight has doubled, and body length is 340mm. Pups are weaned
between 6 and 9 weeks. In captivity, weaning is sometimes recorded later
on in the range. By 8 weeks, younglings are less quarrelsome and
aggressive, and more vigilant. At three months litters go on hunts,
though the pack may not be fully mobile until eight months. Young reach
sexual maturity at about a year, and full adult size at 15 months.
After birth, a few other adults will help to feed the young of the
dominant pair. The pups, as early as the age of three weeks, and the
mother are fed regurgitated meat. When lone females breed, rearing the
litters only results in limited success. |
