indian wolf | Canis lupus pallipes

The Indian wolf inhabits large parts of the Indian peninsula. It is perhaps the smallest wolf sub-species. Indian wolves are grassland dwellers. Although, over time they have co-adapted with humans to thrive in shared spaces such as agricultural fields. Indian wolves are found across semi-arid areas of western, central and southern India.

Population Trend: decreasing
IUCN • least concern
CITES • appendix I
WLPA • schedule I

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• ID Features ​• 

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• Habitats ​• 

TROPICAL DRY FORESTS

RAVINES/ MOUNDS

SCRUB HABITATS

WET GRASSLANDS

DRY GRASSLANDS

ROCKY OUTCROPS

DRY OPEN HABITATS

AGRICULTURE FIELDS

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• Distribution • 

Indian wolf presence records in each sub-district (taluk/tehsil).
Number of records: 1 (yellow) to 98 (dark red) 

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• Score card •

Conservation score: 60 | Grade: B

Indian wolves occupy <40% of their potential habitats in India, with populations likely decreasing. They are threatened by habitat loss, prey depletion, persecution, competition with and disease-risk from free-ranging/domestic dogs, and hybridization with dogs.

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IMAGE CREDITS | COVER IMAGE: ANUP DEODHAR | PROFILE: VISHWAJEET NAIK