They are thought to originate from Asian wolves, which arrived in Australia with Asian sailors 4,000 years ago. Today, because of interbreeding with domestic dogs, there are few pure dingoes left.

Life span
Dingoes can live for over 14 years in captivity.

Statistics
Body length: 117-124cm, Tail length: 30-35cm, Standing height: 50cm, Weight:10-20kg.

Physical description
Dingoes are primarily a yellow to reddish-brown colour, with irregular white patches. The paws and the tip of the tail are often white.

Distribution
Dingoes are endemic to Australia.

Habitat
They are found from sandy deserts to wet and dry forest.

Diet
Dingoes feed on small mammals, especially rabbits, but also kangaroos, lizards and carrion.

Behaviour
They are solitary, but dingoes often live in loosely-knit groups. They sometimes engage in group hunting, particularly when in pursuit of larger prey. The males have territories that they mark out with urine.

Reproduction
Unlike the domestic dog, dingoes only breed once a year. Females give birth to 4-5 cubs, after a gestation period of 63 days.

Conservation status
Dingoes are not considered to be endangered, although interbreeding is a problem.