The denning behaviour of dingoes (Canis dingo) living in a human-modified environment

摘要: Little is known about reproduction and den site selection by free-ranging dingoes. We present observations of sites used dingoes inhabiting a large-scale mining operation located in the Great Sandy Desert, Western Australia. observed 24 dens concentrated within 1-km radius. Den were generally situated elevated positions overlooking surrounding area, short distance from food water resources, required vegetation (particularly spinifex grass) to provide firm foundation stable ceiling soft sand, had single openings that faced away rising daytime sun. Distance human structures or activity did not appear influence selection. Four active, containing total 37 pups aged between two four weeks age. One contained 18 different ages, indicating communal denning was also occurring. The high number breeding females close proximity suggests multiple family groups are able share resources live proximity. Our findings highlight importance human-modified areas abundance