Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary Educational Field Guide

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AUSTRALIAN DINGOES What are Australian dingoes? Australian dingoes are Australia’s wild dog, though they are also found in Southeast Asia. They are medium sized wild canids believed to be descendants of the Asian wolf. It is thought that dingoes first arrived in Australia between 3,000 and 5,000 years ago by either crossing existing land bridges to the continent from Asia, or being introduced to the continent by Southeast Asian seafarers. Aussie by Meredith Williams Australian Dingoes Quick Facts Family: Canidae Genus: Canis Species: C. lupus dingo Group Name: Pack Diet: Carnivore Average Size (Adult Male): Stands 20-24 inches at the shoulder, with a head and body 3.5-4 feet long, and a tail that is 12-13 inches long. Females are generally smaller than males. Average Weight (Adult Male): 26-52 pounds. Average Life Span: 8-10 years in the wild, and up to 14 years or more in captivity. IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable Habitat & Territory: Where do Australian dingoes live? Australian dingoes live in a wide range of habitats on the Australian mainland, excluding Tasmania. They are found in alpine, woodland, grassland, desert and tropical regions, though they favor forest edges near grasslands. Dingoes travel an average of 6-12 miles a day. The Dingoes of Fraser Island Dingoes of Fraser Island within the Great Sandy National Park are considered to be the purest strain of dingo in eastern Australia, and perhaps Australia-wide. Dingoes of Fraser Island are of significant conservation value because they have rarely interbred with domestic or feral dogs. In much of Australia, dingoes commonly breed with domestic and feral dogs. Dingo-dog cross breeds can even be found in suburban areas. It is estimated that more than a third of Southeastern Australia’s dingoes are hybrids. Fig. 3: Map of dingo distribution in Australia. Fig. 4: Close up view and location of Fraser Island. Fun Fact: Though dingoes once inhabited Australia’s fertile Southeast, a 3,488 mile long fence (considered the longest fence in the world) was erected beginning in the 1880s to keep dingoes from flocks of sheep. WSWS 11. Field Guide
AUSTRALIAN DINGOES What is the Australian Dingo’s role in the ecosystem? Dingoes are Australia’s largest mammalian carnivores, making them an apex predator and a keystone species in their ecosystem. Common Physical Characteristics EARS are pointed. EYES are almond shaped and range in color from yellow to amber to brown. FACE Dingoes have a relatively broad head and a long tapered muzzle. JAWS Dingoes’ carnassial and canine teeth are larger than those of a domestic dog. TORSO The dingo’s body shape is lean. FUR on the body is short. TAIL The tail is bushy and bottle shaped to provide balance. FUR color varies from sandy yellow to red ginger, black, black-tan or white. Dingoes typically have white markings on their feet, tail tip and chest. Pack Structure Dingoes can live in packs of up to 12 animals. A dingo pack, like most canine packs, generally consists of an extended family comprised of a mating pair, the year’s offspring and occasionally the offspring of previous years. Packs typically remain in the territory of their birth, and defend their territory against other packs. Dingoes have a dominance hierarchy between and within both males and females of the pack. The dominant pair are usually the only successful breeders, while other pack members often assist with rearing the pups. Kooyong by Georgia Cougar Uluru by Georgia Cougar Common Behavioral Characteristics. - Like wolves, dingoes are most active at dawn and dusk. They communicate like many other canids through scent, body language and sound. - Dingoes will defecate and urinate on objects to mark their territory. - Common vocalizations include howls, bark howls or coughs, snuffles, growls, and moans. Dingoes often howl to locate individuals and to ward off strangers. A bark howl or cough may be used in the presence of danger to alarm pups and pack members to flee or hide. Vocalizations increase as breeding season approaches. What do Australian dingoes eat? Dingoes eat a variety of prey, including wallaby, kangaroo, rabbits, possums, gliders, rats, mice, birds and lizards. They also eat fruit and plants. Though dingoes do not typically prey on domestic livestock, they are often blamed for attacks on livestock by feral dogs or dingo-dogs. Hunting Dingo hunting is opportunistic and occurs both alone and in cooperative packs. When hunting small prey, dingoes may hunt alone or in pairs, but often hunt in groups or packs when pursuing large prey. Reproduction Dingoes breed once a year, usually from March to June. Litter size ranges from four to six pups. Pups are not independent until they reach 6 to 8 months of age. They may leave shortly after weaning or stay with the pack for up to a year. They can start breeding as early as age 1 or 2. Fun Fact: Dingoes play an important role in the myths, folklore and history of Australia’s indigenous people, the Aboriginals. They are connected to Aboriginal holy places, totems, rituals and dream characters. WSWS 12. Field Guide
Page 1 and 2: Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary RESCUE,
Page 3 and 4: TABLE OF CONTENTS What is Wild Spir
Page 5 and 6: What is Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary?
Page 7 and 8: GRAY WOLVES What is the gray wolf
Page 9 and 10: WOLF-DOGS What is the wolf-dog’s
Page 11 and 12: COYOTES What is the coyote’s role
Page 13: Can you find these words? Apex Pred
Page 17 and 18: NEW GUINEA SINGING DOGS What is the
Page 19 and 20: Red Foxes What is the red fox’s r
Page 21 and 22: wild New Guinea singing dog in 23 y
Page 24: Wild spirit wolf sanctuary 378 cand

Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary Educational Field Guide

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