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Open
Daily
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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Dingo
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| Scientific Name: |
Canis familiaris dingo |
| Range: |
Australia |
| Habitat: |
Sandy desert, scrub, grassland, and forest edges |
| Natural Diet: |
Usually rabbits; also sheep, wallabies, kangaroos,
reptiles, and birds |
| Zoo Diet: |
Dry dog food and moist canine diet |
Physical
Characteristics: |
Dingoes are up to three feet long and weigh up to 77
pounds. Dingoes have a short coat, which is yellow, sandy brown, or deep
red. White patches are scattered on the chest, feet, and tip of the
tail. A dingo has a long mussel, erect ears, and strong claws. |
| Behavior: |
These solitary animals hunt at night. They form
friendships and gather into packs only to hunt large prey. Howls locate
friends and warn away strangers. Dingoes sleep in caves or hollow logs. |
| Reproduction: |
Dingoes breed only once a year in autumn or early
winter. Three to four pups are born in late winter or spring. Mothers
feed their young milk as well as chewed meat. Both parents look after
the pups for at least a year until they can survive on their own. |
| Notes: |
Dingoes are often in trouble with Australian ranchers
for killing livestock. At the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, you can see
dingoes in the Australian Adventure Outback. |
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