Basic Information
Dholes are wild dogs native to Asia, and their scientific name is Cuon alpinus.
Dholes - Facts for Kids
Did you know?
Search name of person, animal, place, thing, etc.
Share
Facts About Dholes For Kids
A group of dholes is called a “clan” or sometimes a “pack.”
Dholes are also known as Asiatic wild dogs, red dogs, or whistling dogs because of the unique whistling sounds they make.
Dholes have been part of the dog family for about 5 to 7 million years, which is way longer than our modern pet dogs!
Unlike wolves or domestic dogs, dholes only have 40 teeth instead of 42 because they’re missing a pair of lower molars.
The name ‘dhole’ likely comes from the Kannada language in India, where the word tōḷa means “wolf” or “wild dog.”
Dholes are classified as “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List, which means they’re at high risk of extinction in the wild.
Dholes were once grouped into three types — northern, southern, and central — but scientists now recognize around seven subspecies, each living in different parts of Asia!
The average lifespan of a dhole in the wild is about 8–10 years, but in captivity, they can live up to 16 years.
Adult male dholes typically weigh between 33-44 pounds (15-20 kg), while females are slightly smaller at 22–37 pounds (10-17 kg).
Physical Characteristics
Dholes have reddish-brown fur that gives them their nickname “red dogs.”
An adult dhole measures about 35–44 inches (90-110 cm) in length, about the size of a medium-sized dog like a Border Collie.
Dholes stand around 17 to 22 inches (42–55 cm) tall at the shoulder, which is just a bit shorter than your kitchen table!
Dholes have bushy tails that measure 16–18 inches (40-45 cm) long, which they use for balance when running and as signals to other pack members.
Like most wild dogs, dholes leave paw prints with four toes and a big pad — just like your pup!
Dholes have soft, rounded ears, unlike the pointy ears of wolves or foxes.
Dholes have incredible jaws that can crush bones, and they can eat up to 4 kg (about 8.8 lb) of meat in just one hour.
Most dholes have light fur on their chest, throat, belly, and sometimes paws, and their bushy tails usually end in a dark tip!
Dholes have long, slim legs that help them move quickly and quietly through thick forests — perfect for sneaky hunting!
Dholes have strong whiskers on their faces that act like magic feelers — they help them see in the dark, sneak past branches, and feel things that are really close!
Dholes have a special extra molar with a single cusp, making their teeth specialized for shearing meat, unlike other canids.
Dholes’ paws have pads that allow them to walk silently through the forest when hunting.
Dholes have awesome eyesight and usually hunt during the day!
Dholes don’t tuck their claws like cats do — their claws are always out, which helps them grip the ground tight and run fast during chases!
Behavior & Intelligence
Dholes are among the most social wild canids, living in clans of 5–12 individuals, though some packs can have up to 40 members.
Dholes communicate using at least 9 different types of vocalizations, including whistles, screams, and clucks.
Dholes are one of the few wild canids that enjoy playing in water and are excellent swimmers.
When hunting, dholes can work together to corner prey much larger than themselves, showing remarkable teamwork.
Dholes live in caring family packs and share their food at a kill, and the whole family eats together.
Unlike wolves, dhole packs may have multiple breeding females, making their social structure more flexible.
Dholes use a unique “whistle” call that can travel over long distances to help the pack regroup after they’ve been separated.
When greeting each other, dholes perform a “submissive grin” where they pull back their lips to show their teeth as a friendly gesture.
Dholes are generally diurnal, meaning they’re most active during the daylight hours, especially early morning and late afternoon.
When dholes rest, they often lie close together in their dens — cuddling up as a group!
Dholes dig complex dens with multiple entrances and chambers that can extend up to 15 feet (4.5 meters) underground.
Unlike many other wild canids, dholes rarely howl and instead rely on whistles and chatters to communicate.
Dholes are like clever puzzle solvers! During a hunt, some dholes chase the prey while others hide and wait. Then — BOOM! — they surround it together!
Young dholes learn hunting skills through play, often practicing chasing and pouncing techniques with their siblings.
Habitat & Survival
Dholes can thrive in various habitats, from dense forests to alpine meadows, and can live at elevations up to 13,000 feet (4,000 meters).
A dhole’s territory can cover an area of up to 30 square miles (80 square kilometers), which is about the size of Manhattan island.
Dholes prefer habitats with access to water, dense cover, and abundant prey animals.
Unlike many canids, dholes can adapt to tropical rainforests, an unusual habitat for wild dogs.
Dholes sometimes share their habitat with tigers and leopards but usually avoid direct confrontation with these larger predators.
When larger predators like tigers are present, dholes adjust their activity times to avoid dangerous encounters.
Dholes can sprint at speeds up to 30 miles per hour (50 km/h), allowing them to chase down swift prey like deer.
Dholes have grippy, cushioned paw pads — just like other wild dogs — which help them run, jump, and stick close to the ground.
Dholes are real travel champs! In one day, a male might walk around 12 miles (19 km) and a female about 6 miles (10 km) — that’s like walking your whole neighborhood multiple times!
Instead of using pee or smelly glands, dholes leave their poop in shared spots called latrines to say, ‘This is our home!’ It’s their special way of showing where they live.
