Since the dingoes arrival???

Since the dingoes arrival in Australia??? thousands of years ago ??? natural selection has shaped a highly efficient predator able to function successfully in all our diverse environments, from deserts to alpine regions. The dingo also became deeply incorporated into indigenous culture both spiritually and practically as bed warmer, camp guard and hunting assistant. Before European settlement , dingo numbers were estimated to be relatively low , but easier access to water, via the creation of dams and other forms of storage, and prey, such as introduced rabbit, resulted in increased numbers. Dingoes are intelligent and resourceful, as well as extremely resilient and adaptable to new situations and environmental conditions. They are well equipped with tools typical of an efficient predator physically suited to taking down larger prey than themselves: strong jaw, large canines and flexible joints. With extremely keen senses and an efficient gait for both high speed and long distance travel, they are generalists able to survive on practically any food source ranging from berries and insects to large kangaroos. Availability of prey species, water and environmental conditions influence the dingoes hunting strategies, with the type and abundance of prey determining the size of hunting groups.. Mostly dingoes are solitary hunters, preying on smaller marsupials such as wallabies and bandicoots, as well as rodents and rabbits. However, one of the dingoes most compelling traits is its highly evolved social behaviour. In most cases, dingoes live in structured family groups within defined territories. All members help to raise the young, teaching and reinforcing social and hunting behaviour whilst defending and maintaining the territory against other dingoes, domestic dogs, feral dogs and smaller predators. ~Gary Taylor Photography~