During yesterday’s Wild Fact on the Bandicoot I mentioned that one of their predators was the famous Dingo. Today we are going to explore their world beyond the popular phrase “A Dingo ate my baby”, which I will explain at the end of this Wild Fact. So before we leave Australia we will go on a hike to see if we can spot this countries most famous wild dog species. Incidentally, Dingoes can also be found in Southeast Asia.
The Dingo is a medium-sized canine which has a golden or reddish colour coat. Although the Dingo can often be found in packs of up to ten individuals not all of them behave this way. The young males will usually go out on their own and live the life of a lone wolf….errr… lone dingo. Either way the Dingoes tend to cover off great distances and communicate with one another through an eerie howl similar to a wolf.
The Dingo is an opportunistic hunter whose hunting strategies will vary depending if they are with a group or not. I know it is obvious that a group of 10 individuals will hunt differently than a lone Dingo but it needed to be said. These wild dogs will consume anything from rabbits, kangaroos, bandicoots, lizards, birds, rodents to fruits and other plants. Throughout their range in Southeast Asia these opportunistic animals will often steal from humans as well. Although, it may seem like a good idea to sneak food from humans it is one of the reasons they have been considered pests over the years.
These wild dogs will only breed once a year where the female (obviously) gives birth to approximately five pups. In about six to eight months these little pups will become independent and may either join the pack or go out on their own. Although these packs of Dingoes may seem nice and friendly, there are times where their actions seem barbaric. Breeding just happens to be one of those times. The dominant female ensures she is the only one who gives birth by killing the offspring of any other female Dingoes in the pack. Now you might think this is where the famous phrase “A Dingo ate my baby” came from but it is not. Read the Fast Fact below to find out the true origin of that odd saying.
Dingo Fast Fact – This unfortunate saying all started back in 1980 near Uluru. A mother camping with her family claimed that she saw a Dingo carrying her baby from her tent. Naturally she was scared and shouted out “The Dingoes got my baby”. As you can imagine, nobody believed her and she was convicted of murdering her child. Eventually she was acquitted of all charges when new evidence turned up suggesting that a Dingo actually had run off with her baby. That my friends is where the saying “A Dingo ate my baby” came from.
Before you go, you may want to check out the short two minute video below of the Dingo hunting. Enjoy and have a great day, everyone!
