The Indian wolf (Canis lupus Pallipes) is regarded as a subspecies of grey wolf that occurs from the Indian Subcontinent to Southwest Asia.
It is said to be intermediate in size between the Arabian wolf and the Himalayan wolf, and it also lacks a luxuriant winter coat due to its living in warmer conditions.
The Indian wolf is less vocal than other variants of the grey wolf and travels in smaller packs. It has a reputation for being cunny.
Within this subspecies, the “Indian wolf” is genetically basal to all still-living Canis lupus species apart from the older lineage Himalayan wolf.
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora |
| Family | Canidae |
| Genus | Canis |
| Species | C. lupus |
| Subspecies | C. l. pallipes |
Characteristics
Indian wolves are similar in structure to the European wolf but are more slightly built, although it is smaller and has shorter fur.
It is typically around 28 to 22 in (72 to 57 cm) at shoulder height, with males (also called dogs) ranging from 55 to 42 lb (25 to 19 kg) and females (also called bitches) 49 to 37 lb (22 to 17 kg) in weight. Its length ranges from 57 to 41 (145 to 103 cm) from nose to tail.
Like the Arabian wolf, it has short, thin fur in summer, an adaptive trait against solar radiation. The fur is generally reddish-white to greyish-red with grey tones.
The underparts are almost entirely white. Pups are born sooty-brown, with a milky-white pattern on the chest that fades away with age. Black specimens are hard to find but have been found in two regions in Iran and India’s Solapur district.
In the latter country, the change in the gene was recorded to be natural, unlike the North American grey wolves, which are known to experience melanism from past interbreeding with dogs.
Its behaviors are similar to that of other grey wolf subspecies, though the Indian wolf is relatively less vocal and lives in smaller packs that rarely exceed 8 to 6 individuals. Indian wolf vocalization includes whimpers, howls, howl bark, whines, and social squeals.
There is a record of a lone wolf associated with a pair of dholes in Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary. It reproduces from mid-October to late December and whelps in ravines or holes.
It usually preys on hares, rodents, and antelopes. It usually hunts in groups when targeting antelopes, with one wolf acting as a cover while the other traps and attacks it from behind.
The range of the Indian wolf coincides with that of the tiger, leopard, golden jackal, Asiatic lion, and sloth bear.
Hunting and Diet
Indian wolves are known to be nocturnal animals, using several strategies for various prey animals. These wolves always lack speed and endurance.
The blackbuck is the primary prey animal for wolves in Blackbuck National Park and Nannaj and makes up to 88% of the Indian wolf’s biomass consumption.
Because the antelope is quicker, Indian wolves usually chase it toward bushes or hollows, ravines where other wolves wait patiently to ambush it.
Indian wolves may also target injured or sick animals and separate them from their herds, pursuing them until it is exhausted. This strategy is commonly used by grey wolves and has been proven successful.
Finally, when they reduce the distance, a single wolf would block the snout to asphyxiate the antelope while the other attacks it from behind. Indian wolves are also known to use their cunny attitude to lure prey in for the kill.
Reproduction
All Indian wolves are monogamous and tend to mate for life. They usually breed from mid-October – late December.
Females give birth to 5 to 6 puppies in ravines or holes. The gestation period tends to last up to 62 to 75 days. Their pups (whelps) are always born blind, but their eyes won’t open until 9 to 12 days after birth.
The entire pack often helps to care for the newborns, and when the pups grow to around 3 months old, they will be independent and ready to leave the den. Indian wolves become maturely reproductive after around 2 years of age.
Distribution and Habitat
Indian wolves are usually found in Nepal, India, Pakistan, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Israel, and Bhutan. They live in thorn forest, scrubland, and open grasslands.