Dingo

Dingo

The Dingo is a medium sized dog weighing between 13-24kg, with males usually heavier than the females. An average male stands at 52-63cms. Colours vary from sandy yellow to red ginger, and there are a small percentage of dogs who are black, black-tan or white. Usually Dingoes will also have white markings on their feet, tail tip and chest. Their overall body shape is very lean. They have pricked ears for good hearing and a bushy tail.

Habitat

Dingoes are found through most of mainland Australia, but are absent from Tasmania. Dingoes are found in all habitat types ranging from alpine, woodland, grassland, desert and tropical regions. There are many different cross breeds of Dingo/dog so it is very common to see Dingo-like dogs even in suburbia. Truly pure Dingoes are extremely rare.

Diet

Dingoes are most active at dawn and dusk, when their prey is also active. They eat a variety of animals but the majority of their diet is wallaby and kangaroo. They are also known to prey on rabbits, possums, gliders, rats and mice. Domestic livestock do not usually play a major part in their diet, though often they get the blame for attacks on stock by feral dogs or dog/dingo hybrids.

Breeding

The breeding cycle occurs only once a year and usually runs from March to June. Gestation is 63 days and litter size ranges from four to six pups. The pups might leave shortly after weaning or stay with the family group for up to a year.

Behaviour

Although Dingoes are often seen alone, many of these individuals belong to a socially integrated pack of up to 12 animals. These packs generally comprise of an extended family, which includes a mating pair, the offspring of the year and sometimes offspring of previous years. Dingoes display a dominance hierarchy between and within both males and females. Dominant pairs are usually the only successful breeders, however the other pack members often assist with the rearing of the pups.