Editing Dhole (section)

===Hunting behaviour===
Before embarking on a hunt, clans go through elaborate prehunt social rituals involving nuzzling, body rubbing and mounting.<ref name="f100">{{Harvnb|Fox|1984|pp=100–101}}</ref> Dholes are primarily [[Diurnality|diurnal]] hunters, hunting in the early hours of the morning. They rarely hunt at night, except on moonlit nights, indicating they greatly rely on [[Visual perception|sight]] when hunting.<ref name="f50">{{Harvnb|Fox|1984|p=50}}</ref> They can chase their prey for many hours.<ref name="heptner1998"/> During a pursuit, one or more dholes takes over chasing the prey, while the rest of the pack keeps up at a steadier pace behind, taking over once the other group tires. Most chases are short, lasting only {{cvt|500|m}}.<ref name="f73">{{Harvnb|Fox|1984|p=73}}</ref> When chasing fleet-footed prey, they run at a pace of {{cvt|30|mph|km/h|-1|order=flip}}.<ref name="heptner1998"/> Dholes frequently drive their prey into water bodies, where the targeted animal's movements are hindered.<ref name="f67">{{Harvnb|Fox|1984|p=67}}</ref>

[[File:2012-bandipur-dhole-sambar.jpg|thumb|Dholes attacking a [[sambar (deer)|sambar]], [[Bandipur National Park]]]]

Once large prey is caught, one dhole grabs the prey's nose, while the rest of the pack pulls the animal down by the flanks and hindquarters. They do not use a killing bite to the throat.<ref name="f61">{{Harvnb|Fox|1984|p=61}}</ref> They occasionally blind their prey by attacking the eyes.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Grassman, L. I. Jr. |author2=M. E. Tewes |author3=N. J. Silvy |author4=K. Kreetiyutanont |year=2005 |title=Spatial ecology and diet of the dhole ''Cuon alpinus'' (Canidae, Carnivora) in north central Thailand |name-list-style= amp| journal=Mammalia |volume=69 |issue=1 |pages=11–20 |s2cid= 85198149 |doi= 10.1515/mamm.2005.002 |url= http://www.mnhn.fr/museum/front/medias/publication/6555_m05n1a2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061123090326/http://www.mnhn.fr/museum/front/medias/publication/6555_m05n1a2 |archive-date=23 November 2006}}</ref> [[Serow]]s are among the only ungulate species capable of effectively defending themselves against dhole attacks, due to their thick, protective coats and short, sharp horns capable of easily impaling dholes.<ref name="lydekker1907"/> Dholes tear open their prey's flanks and [[Disembowelment|disembowel]] it, eating the [[heart]], [[liver]], [[lungs]] and some sections of the [[intestines]]. The [[stomach]] and [[rumen]] are usually left untouched.<ref name="f63">{{Harvnb|Fox|1984|p=63}}</ref> Prey weighing less than {{cvt|50|kg|lb}} is usually killed within two minutes, while large stags may take 15 minutes to die. Once prey is secured, dholes tear off pieces of the carcass and eat in seclusion.<ref name="f70">{{Harvnb|Fox|1984|p=70}}</ref> They give the pups access to a kill.<ref name="f86">{{Harvnb|Fox|1984|pp=86–87}}</ref> They are generally tolerant of [[scavenger]]s at their kills.<ref name="f51">{{Harvnb|Fox|1984|p=51}}</ref> Both mother and young are provided with regurgitated food by other pack members.<ref name="nowak1983"/>
{{clear}}