Threat Level
Endangered
(Canis lupus dingo)
The Dingo is a medium sized dog weighing between 13-24kg, with males usually heavier than the females. An average male stands at 52-63cms. Colours vary from sandy yellow to red ginger, and there are a small percentage of dogs who are black, black-tan or white. Usually Dingoes will also have white markings on their feet, tail tip and chest. Their overall body shape is very lean. They have pricked ears for good hearing and a bushy tail.
Habitat
Dingoes are found through most of mainland Australia, but are absent from Tasmania. Dingoes are found in all habitat types ranging from alpine, woodland, grassland, desert and tropical regions. There are many different cross breeds of Dingo/dog so it is very common to see Dingo-like dogs even in suburbia. Truly pure Dingoes are extremely rare.
Diet
Dingoes are most active at dawn and dusk, when their prey is also active. They eat a variety of animals but the majority of their diet is wallaby and kangaroo. They are also known to prey on rabbits, possums, gliders, rats and mice. Domestic livestock do not usually play a major part in their diet, though often they get the blame for attacks on stock by feral dogs or dog/dingo hybrids.
Breeding
The breeding cycle occurs only once a year and usually runs from March to June. Gestation is 63 days and litter size ranges from four to six pups. The pups might leave shortly after weaning or stay with the family group for up to a year.
Behaviour
Although Dingoes are often seen alone, many of these individuals belong to a socially integrated pack of up to 12 animals. These packs generally comprise of an extended family, which includes a mating pair, the offspring of the year and sometimes offspring of previous years. Dingoes display a dominance hierarchy between and within both males and females. Dominant pairs are usually the only successful breeders, however the other pack members often assist with the rearing of the pups.
Our Amazing Dingo(s) are currently on display
Dingo Profiles
Cooya
Age: 13 Years (DOB 27/7/1999)
Sex: Female
Cooya is the second half of the Group Two family, which also includes Kirra. Both Cooya and Kirra were born in captivity in New South Wales and brought to Australia Zoo at five weeks of age. Cooya often looks as if she is grinning and can be seen running around the enclosure at top speed, showing off her agility and grace. Cooya has a habit of jumping up and down in one spot to show her glee in seeing the keepers, and can jump as high as the keepers' heads. Cooya can become shy when in an unfamiliar environment and shows how timid the nature of the dingo is.
Kiah
Age: 9 Years (DOB 1/9/2003)
Sex: Female
Kiah is the last of Group Four, but is the largest of the three siblings. The name Kiah comes from the Aboriginal term meaning 'from the beautiful place'. She is very affectionate but cheeky as well, often found pulling or biting on the long pants of her keepers' uniforms. She has even been known to get a little skin when she darts in and grabs the pant leg. Kiah has very little white on her feet, only one front paw has a little on the toes and she also has lighter amber coloured eyes, compared with her sisters who have a rich, golden-brown eyes.
Kirra
Age: 13 Years (DOB 27/7/1999)
Sex: Female
Kirra has a trademark cowlick on her head that makes the hair stand up like a wave, prompting Steve and Wes to name her after Kirra Beach, a famous surfing destination. Kirra is the alpha female of the two in her family pack. She has a very sweet and affectionate disposition.
Her trademark white tail has only a few hairs at the tip, which also makes her easily identifiable. She is always eager to go on her daily walks, going out to get some exercise and meeting our guests. Her quiet disposition has meant she is a great asset to our education programs, helping people understand that dingoes are not aggressive animals by nature, but are shy and timid in the wild and need plenty of space and respect.
Mia
Age: 13 Years (DOB 27/7/1999)
Sex: Female
Mia is the littermate of Kirra and Cooya. She is now the alpha female of Group Four and has three juvenile dingoes in her pack. Mia is the most shy of the three older girls, but has enough personality to become dominant over the three juveniles. Mia is easy to distinguish as she is very light in colour and has a lot of white on her face. She loves to run and play with the rest of the girls, and all four can be seen racing around the exhibit, running through the creek or swimming in the pond. Mia interacts well with the guests who participate in the Animal Encounters, and is quite happy to just lie in the grass and allow everyone to pat and admire her.
Myndee
Age: 9 Years (DOB 1/9/2003)
Sex: Female
Myndee is one of three littermates in Mia's family pack. Myndee (Aboriginal for 'sycamore tree') is quite boisterous, plays roughly with the other members of the pack and usually is more vocal than the other two. Myndee is very good at obedience training but can be stubborn and willful when she wants to be. She is very loving with her keepers and enjoys a good patting session. Myndee has even white 'socks' on both front paws coming up just above the middle her wrists.
Teyha
Age: 9 Years (DOB 1/9/2003)
Sex: Female
Teyha (Native American for 'Precious') is smaller in build than her sisters, and very alert. She is very sociable and loves to meet people while roving and during the Animal Encounters. She is often the one who jumps up on the guests and tries to lick their face. Teyha also has a cowlick on the back of her neck, like a Mohawk. Like her sister Myndee, she has white on both front feet, but her 'socks' are tall, making her easy to tell apart from Myndee.
