New Guinea Singing Dog
Canis hallstromi
Conservation Status: Not Known
Range: endemic to Papua New Guinea
Habitat: Remote, high altitude, cloud forests
Size: About 17" tall; 25 pounds
Diet in the Wild: Not well known but likely a variety of small mammals, birds, and fish.
Diet in the Zoo: Commercial dog food, mice, hard-boiled egg
Lifespan: 12-15 years
The New Guinea singing dog is a wild dog found only in the mountain forests of New Guinea. "Singers", as they are commonly called, have survived for thousands of years an are very closely related to the dingo of Australia. When in a group, one singing dog starts singing then others join in at different pitches, each with its own unique howl. Once feared to be extinct in the wild, they were rediscovered in 2016 (the first sighting in over 40 years)! The remaining wild population is so small they would likely be classified as either endangered or critically endangered.
Fun Facts!
- Well adapted to hunting in steep areas with thick vegetation, the singing dog's joints and spine are extremely flexible for a dog. They can climb and jump like a cat!
- Sonograms show the howl of the New Guinea singing dog is similar to the call of humpback whales!