The dingo (or Canis lupus dingo) is a large species of canid that lives throughout Australia. With sandy-coloured fur, a white underside, pointed ears and a long, blunt snout, the dingo is skinny in appearance, averaging between 52 and 60cm in height and measuring 1.2 to 1.5m long. They weigh between 14 and 19kg, with males being slightly larger than females. They are opportunistic predators but also scavengers, resulting in a varied diet of mammals, birds, reptiles, carrion, fruit and vegetables.
Latin Name
Canis lupus dingo
Featured
false
Slug
dingo
Site
Thumbnail
Image
Conservation Status
Animal Category
Region
Associated Product
Animal Facts
Interbreeding with domestic dogs has resulted in unusual colours of dingoes, such as black or white individuals.
The dingo is thought to have been introduced into Australia by seafarers 4,000 years ago. It is hypothesized that it originated from a dog like the New Guinea singing dog.
The ‘Dingo Fence’ in South-East Australia is 5,614km long and was built to protect sheep from dingoes.
Dingo pups will often be fed and cared for by the other members of the pack as well as their parents.
Dingoes have very flexible wrists that enable them to clutch prey; this also gives them the ability to open doors and gates that dogs or wolves could not get through.
Game
Related Product