AUSTRALIAN DESERT DINGO
by Noah Sharpe
Dingoes are carnivores, their diet includes rabbits, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, insects and rodents. They hunt at night and they can hunt alone or in a group.
Dingos can grow up to 60cm and weigh up to 15kilograms. They can live up to 8-10 years. Dingos breed once a year. The babies stay with their mother until they learn how to hunt on their own.
Dingos are territorial and they form packs of 3 to 12 to protect themselves. Their enemies are the wedged tailed eagle. They make their home by digging a den or they find a cave or maybe a hollow log, they like it to be near water.
Dingo's barks are similar to coughing and it is used to send a warning to the pack or to defend their territory. Dingo dogs howl, they have three types of howling and these are moans, bark-howls and snuffs. How often the dingo howls depends on each dog, by the food shortage, by the time of the day. Groups of dingos use howling to express different feelings towards one of the group members. Another thing dingo dogs do is they show their teeth and they clash it, as they are ready to bite if they are angry. Dingoes also use scent marking and communicate by marking places with their urine or with their faeces.
Dingoes have pointed ears to help hear for any enemies that might get too close and to help keep cool. The colour of their fur helps them camouflage with their surroundings. their short fur also helps them to keep cooler.