The behavioural ecology of dingoes in north-western Australia. III. Hunting and Feeding behaviour, and diet.

Abstract

Observations from aerial radio-tracking were used together with analysis of scat and stomach samples to investigate the feeding ecology of dingoes, Canis familiaris dingo, on the lower Fortescue River in Western Australia. Between 1977 and 1984, 1948 records of hunting and feeding were obtained, and 352 scats and 119 stomachs were collected. Dingoes preyed predominantly on kangaroos, Macropus robustus and M. rufus, the most abundant and widely distributed of the larger native mammals in the area. In one site dingoes partially switched to alternative food (smaller prey and cattle carrion) when kangaroo abundance declined. However, they continued to hunt and kill kangaroos even when easyto- obtain cattle carrion was available. The increased utilisation of smaller prey by dingoes coincided with changes in sociality (disintegration of packs and an increased number of solitary dingoes). In a sheepgrazing area, sheep were 'easy' prey and dingoes killed sheep and kangaroos in excess of their needs for food, although kangaroo remained a major component of their diet. Dingoes cooperating in groups were more successful than solitary dingoes in hunting large prey (kangaroos, calves). Cooperative effort was not required for dingoes to catch or kill sheep.

Trends in the numbers of red kangaroos and emus on either side of the South Australian dingo fence: evidence for predator regulation?

“…They also feed on carcasses of cattle that die during the drought (Corbett and Newsome 1987;Newsome 1990;Corbett 1995). Dingoes exhibit a flexible social structure, allowing them to increase group size to exploit large prey such as kangaroos and become more solitary when only small prey are available (Thomson 1992). Other factors are also important, including (Fig.…”

“…the increased vulnerability of kangaroo populations during drought when they become concentrated around areas of remaining food and water (Newsome 1965). It is also worth noting that, even in the absence of rabbits in north-western Australia, dingoes appear capable of strongly limiting red kangaroo populations and possibly regulating them (Thomson 1992).…”

“…While these patterns are consistent with the demography of red kangaroos inside the dingo fence, the situation in this area is artificial. Outside the fence, dingo predation appears regulatory at least some of the time and both subadult and adult kangaroos are taken (Oliver 1986;Thomson 1992).…”

“…This should result in greater fluctuations in numbers in a stochastic environment than if it were strong (Sinclair 1989;Sinclair and Pech 1996). In certain areas with dingoes, red kangaroos appear to be predator limited (Caughley et al 1980;Thomson 1992). It is unclear, however, whether dingoes can regulate kangaroo populations, although some studies have suggested that this might be the case, with rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) serving as alternative prey (Caughley et al 1980;Corbett and Newsome 1987;Newsome 1994).…”

More buck for less bang: Reconciling competing wildlife management interests in agricultural food webs

“…However, periods of spatiotemporally intensive control efforts can temporarily suppress dingo population abundances (Fleming et al 2001;Allen et al 2013a). Importantly, dingoes are also thought to suppress kangaroos (Caughley et al 1980;Pople et al 2000;Fillios et al 2010;Letnic and Crowther 2013), one of dingoes' primary prey in arid areas (Corbett and Newsome 1987;Thomson 1992;Allen and Leung 2012). Intensive dingo control is expected to free kangaroos from dingo suppression either by reducing dingo abundance or altering their social structure or group hunting abilities in ways that alleviate kangaroo predation (Allen 2013;Choquenot and Forsyth 2013;Prowse et al 2014).…”