Editing Dhole (section)

===Reproduction and development===
[[File:Cuon alpinus alpinus puppy.jpg|thumb|Dhole pup, [[Kolmården Wildlife Park]]]]
In India, the [[mating season]] occurs between mid-October and January, while captive dholes in the [[Moscow Zoo]] breed mostly in February.<ref name="cohen1978"/> Unlike wolf packs, dhole clans may contain more than one breeding female.<ref name="f86"/> More than one female dhole may den and rear their litters together in the same den.<ref name="nowak1983"/> During [[mating]], the female assumes a crouched, cat-like position. There is no [[copulatory tie]] characteristic of other canids when the male dismounts. Instead, the pair lie on their sides facing each other in a semicircular formation.<ref name="f79">{{Harvnb|Fox|1984|p=79}}</ref> The [[gestation period]] lasts 60–63 days, with litter sizes averaging four to six pups.<ref name="cohen1978"/> Their growth rate is much faster than that of wolves, being similar in rate to that of [[coyote]]s.

The [[hormone]] metabolites of five males and three females kept in Thai zoos was studied. The breeding males showed an increased level of [[testosterone]] from October to January. The [[oestrogen]] level of captive females increases for about two weeks in January, followed by an increase of [[progesterone]]. They displayed sexual behaviours during the oestrogen peak of the females.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Khonmee, J. |name-list-style=amp |author2= Rojanasthien, S. |author3=Thitaram, C. |author4=Sumretprasong, J. |author5= Aunsusin, A. |author6=Chaisongkram, C. |author7=Songsasen, N. |title=Non-invasive endocrine monitoring indicates seasonal variations in gonadal hormone metabolites in dholes (''Cuon alpinus'') |date=2017 |journal=Conservation Physiology |volume=5 |issue=1 |pages=cox001 |doi= 10.1093/conphys/cox001 |pmid= 28852505|pmc=5570072 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

Pups are suckled at least 58 days. During this time, the pack feeds the mother at the den site. Dholes do not use [[wikt:rendezvous|rendezvous]] sites to meet their pups as wolves do, though one or more adults will stay with the pups at the den while the rest of the pack hunts. Once [[weaning]] begins, the adults of the clan will regurgitate food for the pups until they are old enough to join in hunting. They remain at the den site for 70–80 days. By the age of six months, pups accompany the adults on hunts and will assist in killing large prey such as [[sambar deer|sambar]] by the age of eight months.<ref name="f80">{{Harvnb|Fox|1984|p=80}}</ref> Maximum longevity in captivity is 15–16 years.<ref name="nowak1983"/>