Canis familiaris (Canis Dingo)

Lamington NP Mammals & ReptilesCanis familiaris (Canis 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.

The Dingo (currently described as Canis familiaris), has been variously called Canis familiaris dingo (it being regarded as a subspecies of Canis familiaris — the domestic dog), Canis lupus dingo (regarded as a subspecies of Canis lupus — the grey wolf), Canis dingo (regarded as a species in its own right — being separate from both domestic dogs and grey wolves), or Canis familiaris (not being regarded as taxonomically distinct from the domestic dog).

Whilst more research is being done, currently Australia wild dog Canis familiaris (formerly Canis dingo and 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.