Canis dingo (Image by Google)
This canid is typically known as Australia's wild dog, and is probably a descendant of wolves. Specialists claim that Australian dingoes come from a dingo species from Southeast Asia, brought to the continent from 3,000 to 4,000 years ago.
They may live alone (generally young males) or in packs of up to ten individuals. They breed once a year and dominant breeding females may kill other female's offspring. Dingoes are carnivores and, because of that, they roam great distances. With a big living area, comes the need for efficient communication. That's where the wolf-like howls come in. They have three basic types of howls: 1) Moans; 2) Bark-howls and 3) Snuffs (which seems to include 10 variations). These vocalizations travel over long distances, and may be used to locate other wild dogs, attract pack members and also to repel intruders from the pack's home range. The frequency of howling in dingoes varies through the year and can be affected by dispersal, lactation, breeding and social stability.
Also like the wolves, dingoes are treated as a "pest" in their country, and are often eliminated so that they won't attack sheep. Nowadays, they are considered a vulnerable species, even though they can interbreed with domestic dogs. In fact, studies suggest that a third of all Australian dingoes are hybrids.
They may live alone (generally young males) or in packs of up to ten individuals. They breed once a year and dominant breeding females may kill other female's offspring. Dingoes are carnivores and, because of that, they roam great distances. With a big living area, comes the need for efficient communication. That's where the wolf-like howls come in. They have three basic types of howls: 1) Moans; 2) Bark-howls and 3) Snuffs (which seems to include 10 variations). These vocalizations travel over long distances, and may be used to locate other wild dogs, attract pack members and also to repel intruders from the pack's home range. The frequency of howling in dingoes varies through the year and can be affected by dispersal, lactation, breeding and social stability.
Also like the wolves, dingoes are treated as a "pest" in their country, and are often eliminated so that they won't attack sheep. Nowadays, they are considered a vulnerable species, even though they can interbreed with domestic dogs. In fact, studies suggest that a third of all Australian dingoes are hybrids.
~Ally
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