The Behavioural Ecology of Dingoes in North-western Australia. IV. Social and Spatial Organisation, and Movements

摘要: Dingoes, Canis familiaris dingo, were studied on the lower Fortescue River during a period when minimal natural or artificial disturbances occurred. From 1975 to 1978, 34 radio-collared dingoes tracked and observed from aircraft for 2-36 months (mean 11 months). Tracking yielded 9179 daytime 2229 night-time locations. In all, 25% of sighted alone, 21% in pairs, 54% groups three more. Most members five discrete packs monthly pack size 3-12 members) that occupied long-term essentially non-overlapping territories. Territory (44.5-113.2km*2) was not correlated with size. Between-pack encounters extremely rare. Members most often seen smaller variable 2.2, range 1-12); largest associated feeding hunting activities involving large prey. Dingoes gregarious prebreeding season. Lone (n = 3) displayed no affiliations, ranges overlapped mosaic territories, avoided packs. utilised some habitats more heavily than others, activity being centred riverine areas. The greatest seasonal influence movement patterns occurred nursing breeding females mostly confined den Implications control dingoes, including strategy confining work buffer zones, are discussed.