Reproductive and social behaviour of the Dhole, Cuon alpinus (Canidae)

• Published in: Journal of Zoology
• Main Author: Johnsingh, A.J.T.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1982
• Subjects: Canis lupus
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jzo.1982.198.4.443; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fjzo.1982.198.4.443; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jzo.1982.198.4.443; https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jzo.1982.198.4.443

A pack of Dholes living in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve Karnataka, India was observed between August 1976 and July 1978. The home range of the pack was 40 km 2 , the average density was 0·35‐0·9 Dholes/km 2 in the 20 km 2 core area. The hunting range of the pack during the denning period was 11 km 2 and at other times the range was over 15 km 2 . Mean number of adults in the pack averaged 8·3 and including pups, the mean pack size was 16. Adult sex ratio consistently favoured ♂♂ with a 2:1 ratio. Preexisting dens were used during this study. Pups left the den when 70 to 80 days old and at seven months of age actively took part in killing prey. Means of communication, types of play, and response to other species are described. Determinants of pack size and features of pack size regulation are discussed and data are compared with those of Canis lupus and Lycaon pictus .