Dhole

The Dhole, also known as the Asiatic Wild Dog, Indian Wild Dog or Red Dog is an endangered species of Asian canid. It once ranged across East and South Asia from Russia Far East to Sumatra. Their range is severely fragmented and reduced and there are little over 2,000 individuals left in the wild.

Both males and females become sexually active at one year old, though females usually breed at 2 years in the wild. 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. 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. Pups are weaned between 6 and 9 weeks.

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhole - 29.04.2010