packs

A subspecies of the grey wolf , the Indian wolf can be found in Southwest Asia to the Indian Subcontinent. Their habitats of choice are scrublands, grasslands, and thorn forests. They lack the thick fur coat of the grey wolf, as they live in warmer climates and don’t have the need for dense fur coats or even much of an undercoat. They do have longer hair on their backs, which is thought to be an evolutionary trait to protect them from the sun’s UV rays. Due to habitat loss and hunting these wolves are listed as Endangered by the IUCN.

First the Stats… Scientific name: Canis lupus pallipes Weight: Up to 55 lbs. Length: Up to 4.75 feet, including tail Height: 2 feet 4 inches, at the shoulder Lifespan: Up to 13 years

Now on to the Facts! 1.) Indian wolves usually live in smaller packs of around 6 – 8 individuals.

2.) They have a nocturnal (active at night) and sometimes crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) lifestyle which helps them stay out of the heat.

3.) Their primary prey items are blackbuck antelopes , rodents , sambar deer , and raccoons .

4.) Similar hunting tactics to the grey wolf are shared by the Indian wolf. They chase their prey into ravines, into the jaws of other ambushing wolves, and even use decoys like rolling on their backs and distracting their prey while other wolves attack.

5.) Indian wolves also come into conflict with humans when their natural food source is scarce, as they will hunt livestock.

But wait, there’s more on the Indian wolf! 6.) In Iranian culture, children are sometimes warned not to misbehave for fear of meeting with an Indian wolf and the fate therein. A little harsh, don’t you think?

7.) The Indian wolf is monogamous (mates for life).

Did you know…? In a phenomenon called “child-lifting”, Indian wolves will actually actively prey on children.

8.) Females birth 5 – 6 pups after up to a 75 day gestation (pregnancy).

Now a Short Indian Wolf Video!

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These animals are active during dawn and dusk, or twilight. Animals that are crepuscular are typically so due to the fact that many predators are not active during those times of the day. But as in the case of being diurnal or nocturnal, sometimes the organism is crepuscular in an effort to obtain food that might be present at these times. Mule deer , desert cottontails , coyotes , porcupines , and black-tailed jackrabbits , to name a few, fit into this category.'); toolTips('.classtoolTips14','

Gestation is the process of carrying or being carried in the womb between conception and birth. In other words, pregnancy.'); toolTips('.classtoolTips18','

Organisms that are nocturnal are active at night. Animals that fit into this category are typically prey animals that rely on the cover of darkness as a defense. Granted, there are no shortage of predators at night. Some organisms adopt a nocturnal lifestyle due to climate issues. Many desert dwelling animals are nocturnal as it is simply cooler outside at night. Aardvarks , badgers , bandicoots , and aye-ayes are just some examples of nocturnal creatures.');

packs

The Indian Wolf