Dholes engage in obligate cooperative group hunting and group care of their young and, of the canids, are most similar to African wild dogs due to their social behaviors.
Of the canids, African wild dogs are arguably most similar to dholes. Both species have specialized dental morphology for obligate hypercarnivory, which is rather unique among canids. Phylogenetic research shows both species are in the same monophyletic group, and otherwise both species are similar in body size, reproduction, social behavior, and feeding behavior.
Dholes and African wild dog live social lives, in that they engage in obligate cooperative group hunting and group care of young. Subordinate pack members are reproductively suppressed and instead help care for the young of the dominant alpha pair.
Sources: (Anderson, 1955; Carmignani; Chacon, 2000; Hance, 2015; Kamler, et al., 2015; Kawanishi & Sunquist, 2008; Johnsingh, 1982; Venkataraman, 1995)
Image: Anuradha
