Canis Dingo

Lamington NP Mammals & ReptilesCanis Dingo Red-necked Pademelon

The Dingo is another Australian native animal that gets a bad rap through no fault of its own. Often dingoes and dogs were lumped together as the same, and although they are both belong to the family Canidae, genus Canis, they are not the same. For starters, dingoes howl, whilst dogs bark.

Whilst more research is being done, currently Australia wild dog Canis dingo (formerly Canis lupus dingo) belong to a group of primitive dogs characterised by short coats, erect ears, characteristic skull shape and teeth. They breed once a year, unlike domestic dogs that breed twice a year. Dingoes generally live in packs of 3-12 and it is only the alpha male and female that mate.