Mammal · GBIF taxon 6164184
Canis lupus dingo
Canis lupus dingoAlso known as Dingo, New Guinea Singing Dog, Australian Dingo, Warrigal
Dingoes and New Guinea singing dogs represent ancient apex canids that adapted to the diverse ecosystems of Australasia thousands of years ago. These flexible predators hunt in small packs or individually, communicating through eerie, complex vocalizations and harmonic howls rather than typical domestic barks. Highly agile with flexible wrist joints and broad skulls, they navigate rugged alpine ridges and arid plains with equal ease while regulating native prey populations.
Apex PredatorCanineVocal
Licensed referenceJarrod Amoore from Sydney, Australia / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Kangaroos
- Wallabies
- Small Mammals
Predators
- Humans
- Wedge-tailed Eagles
- Saltwater Crocodiles
ThreatsHybridization with domestic dogs, lethal control, habitat loss
HabitatsDeserts, grasslands, forests, wetlands, alpine highlands
Life span10 - 15 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCanidae
- SpeciesCanis lupus dingo
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskModerate
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is moderate
- Wild canids may defend territory or seek food; maintain distance and never feed them.
- Why it is dangerous
- Bites can cause deep puncture wounds and transmit serious bacterial infections.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognized by an athletic build, broad head, erect ears, and sandy or tawny coat with pale chest markings.
- What to do
- Maintain distance, avoid running if approached, and secure all food and garbage in camping areas.
- What to notice
- Identified by unique traits including a broad skull, flexible wrist joints, and harmonic howling.
- Support conservation
- Keep pets on a leash in wild habitats to prevent hybridization and disease transmission.
Responsible observation
- Observe from Distance: Keep a safe buffer zone, especially around packs with young pups or in habituated areas.
- Secure Food Supplies: Store all food, trash, and scented items in animal-proof containers to prevent habituation.
- Avoid Feeding: Never offer food, as hand-feeding increases bold behavior and leads to negative conflict.
Ancestor Species User:Mas3cf / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Competitor "Red Fox" by Mike's Birds is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/. · cc-by-sa
Predator (c) Mark Kriedemann, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Mark Kriedemann · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Jan Ebr & Ivana Ebrová, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jan Ebr & Ivana Ebrová · cc-by
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