Dingo
โก Key Facts & Quick Answers (AEO Summary)
- Taxonomic Class: Mammals
- Dietary Niche: Carnivore (Kangaroos, wallabies, rabbits, wombats, birds)
- Max Speed: 60 km/h (37 mph)
- Adult Weight: 13 - 20 kg (28 - 44 lbs)
- Typical Lifespan: 10 - 15 years
- Primary Habitat: Deserts, arid scrublands, dry eucalypt forests, wetlands
- Native Region: Australia
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
๐ Physical & Biological Metrics
๐งฌ Scientific Taxonomy & Biological Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora |
| Family | Canidae |
| Genus | Canis |
| Species Binomial | Canis dingo |
๐ 1. Species Overview
The Dingo is Australia's wild apex land predator. Introduced to the continent over 3,500 years ago, they play a vital ecological role in controlling invasive herbivores and meso-predators.
๐ฆฟ 2. Physical Appearance, Anatomy & Adaptations
Features a lean, athletic body, sandy-ginger to reddish coat, white chest and paws, erect ears, and a bushy tail.
๐บ๏ธ 3. Habitat, Geographic Distribution & Territorial Range
Live in family packs with a strict hierarchy. Unlike domestic dogs, dingos rarely bark, communicating through howling.
๐ฅฉ 4. Diet, Feeding Strategy & Hunting Tactics
Pack hunters that chase down kangaroos and wallabies over long distances.
๐ฃ 5. Reproduction, Lifecycle & Social Hierarchy
Mating occurs once a year. The dominant pair produces a litter of 4-6 pups in underground dens.
๐ก๏ธ 6. Conservation Status, Population Threats & Protection
Vulnerable. Threatened by hybridization with domestic dogs and eradication efforts.
๐ก Fascinating Facts & Trivia
- Dingos have highly flexible wrists that allow them to turn door handles and climb trees.
- Their head can rotate 180 degrees, helping them scan wide desert horizons for prey.
โ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Direct authoritative answers regarding the biology, feeding habits, and habitat of the Dingo.
The Dingo is scientifically classified as Canis dingo. It belongs to the genus Canis within the family Canidae, class Mammalia, and phylum Chordata.
In the wild, Dingos inhabit Deserts, arid scrublands, dry eucalypt forests, wetlands. Their native geographic range primarily spans Australia.
The Dingo is classified as a Carnivore. It feeds primarily on specialized nutrients suited to its ecological niche in Deserts, arid scrublands, dry eucalypt forests, wetlands.
A Dingo can achieve top speeds of 60 km/h (37 mph) and weighs approximately 13 - 20 kg (28 - 44 lbs). Its expected natural lifespan is 10 - 15 years.
The Dingo (Canis dingo) is currently designated as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Cite this Article
FaunaWiki Zoological Database (2026). "Dingo (Canis dingo) Species Profile."
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