[Objectives] Understanding the activity patterns and suitable habitat distribution of Dholes Cuon alpines is crucial for comprehending its survival strategies in response to environmental changes and formulating effective conservation measures. [Methods] From January 2020 to July 2024, we used both infrared camera trapping and transect methods to conduct comprehensive surveys in the Altun-Qimantag Mountains. Through kernel density estimation, we analyzed the daily activity patterns of Dholes during rainy (May-August) and dry seasons (September-April), and evaluated their suitable habitat distribution along with protection gaps using species distribution models. The analysis was performed in R (version 4.4.2), primarily relying on the activity and biomod2 packages. [Results] (1) The 134 camera traps deployed across the study area accumulated 67 864 effective camera trap days, capturing 118 independent valid records (89 independent records in the dry season and 29 in the rainy season) of Dholes at 31 locations (Table 1), with September showing the highest record frequency. (2) Dholes exhibited typical small group-living behavior with average group size of 1.6 ± 1.4 ind. (maximum observed group size: 8 ind.), displaying crepuscular bimodal activity patterns (Fig. 2). (3) Among 10 models in biomod2 package in R 4.4.2, the Generalized Boosting Model (GBM) performed the best and the MAXENT model performed the worst. The ensemble model demonstrated excellent predictive accuracy, with the TSS and AUC values of combined model being 0.987 and 0.997, respectively (Fig. 3). (4) Variable contribution analysis revealed that annual temperature range (Bio7, 72.87%), snow water equivalent (Swe, 37.75%), and mean temperature of driest quarter (Bio9, 32.16%) were the dominant factors influencing habitat suitability (Figs. 3, 4). (5) The total suitable habitat area covered 18 484.28 kmsup>2 (moderately suitable: 13 497.47 kmsup>2; highly suitable: 4 986.81 kmsup>2), with only 45.44% being within protected areas. Core distribution areas were concentrated in Lop Nur and An’nanba Nature Reserve, along with the eastern slopes of Qimantag Mountains (Fig. 5). [Conclusion] This study provides the systematic documentation of ecological adaptation characteristics of Dholes in the Altun-Qimantag Mountains, offering scientific foundations for regional conservation planning and ecosystem management of the proposed Kunlun Mountains National Park.