Food habits of dhole Cuon alpinus in Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu, India

Food habits of dhole Cuon alpinus studied in Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve from January 2010 to July 2010 by analyzing 78 scats. Ten prey species were consumed by dholes in which Sambar was consumed highest percentage (30.77%) followed by wild pig (23.08%) and lowest was Jungle fowl (0.063%). In terms of biomass contribution sambar was highest (78.70%) while jungle fowl was lowest contribution (3.85%). The total prey biomass consumed by dhole was 191.72 kg during our study period. This study will give basic information on food habits of dhole and also gives basic idea for better management strategies to protect this elegant carnivore.