DINGO

((species Canis dingo), ) also called Warrigal, Australian wild dog (family Canidae), one of the few nonmarsupial mammals in Australia. Some authorities regard the dingo as a subspecies of the domestic dog, hence C. familiaris dingo. The dingo was apparently introduced from Asia during the later immigrations of Aborigines in post-Pleistocene times (perhaps 5,000 to 8,000 years ago). Similar to the domestic dog in structure and habits, the dingo is stout with short, soft fur, a bushy tail, and erect, pointed ears. It is about 1.2 m (4 feet) long, including the 30-centimetre (12-inch) tail, and stands about 60 cm at the shoulder. Its colour varies between yellowish and reddish brown, often with white underparts, feet, and tail tip. Dingoes hunt alone or in small groups; they formerly preyed on kangaroos but now feed principally on rabbits and sometimes on livestock. Through competition they contributed to the extermination of the native Tasmanian wolf and Tasmanian devil (both marsupials) on the Australian mainland. With the European settlement of Australia, they preyed on sheep and poultry and were consequently eliminated in most areas. Wild dingoes, although bold and suspicious, can be tamed, and those raised from puppies may become affectionate pets. The Aborigines sometimes capture and tame them. Dingoes normally only yelp and howl, but when domesticated they can also imitate the bark of dogs. They usually bear litters of four to five pups; the gestation period is about 63 days.