# New Guinea singing dog The New Guinea singing dog is a special type of wild dog known for its beautiful singing voice! They are friendly and love to explore their home in the mountains of New Guinea. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Mountain regions ![New Guinea singing dog](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/New_Guinea_Singing_Dog_on_trail-Cropped.jpg&width=800) Photo: Patti McNeal, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:New_Guinea_Singing_Dog_on_trail-Cropped.jpg) ## Appearance The New Guinea singing dog has a medium build with a broad head and strong jaw. Its thick fur is typically golden-red or tan, often with white markings on its face, feet, and tail tip. This gives it a unique, wild appearance distinct from domestic dogs. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Canidae - **Genus:** Canis ## Interesting facts - For decades, many scientists thought they were extinct in the wild! - Their amazing calls can travel for miles through dense jungle! - These shy wild dogs are experts at hiding from human eyes! - They possess extra flexible spines, helping them move through tough terrain! ## Special abilities - **Jungle Agility:** New Guinea singing dog has an incredibly flexible spine and strong legs, helping them navigate steep, rugged mountain terrain with ease. - **Sharp Senses:** New Guinea singing dog can detect faint scents and sounds in the dense jungle, helping them locate prey and avoid predators. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 70-90 cm - **Weight:** 8-14 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Speed:** 45 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-6 - **Gestation:** 60-63 days ## Diet & Feeding These clever dogs enjoy hunting small animals, birds, and insects, but also munch on tasty fruits. - **Primary Foods:** small mammals, birds, lizards, insects, fruits, berries - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** New Guinea Mountain Rat (*Rattus praetor*) — a common small mammal prey in their habitat. - **Hunts:** New Guinea Quoll (*Dasyurus albopunctatus*) — a swift marsupial hunted in the New Guinea highlands. - **Eaten by:** New Guinea Harpy Eagle (*Harpyopsis novaeguineae*) — juvenile dogs are vulnerable to this large raptor. - **Eats:** New Guinea Fig (*Ficus nodosa*) — enjoys the sweet fruits of this native jungle tree. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always watch from a distance and never try to touch wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify New Guinea singing dog? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is New Guinea singing dog? 70-90 cm ### How much does New Guinea singing dog weigh? 8-14 kg ### How long does New Guinea singing dog live? 10-15 years ### How fast can New Guinea singing dog move? 45 km/h ### What does New Guinea singing dog eat? These clever dogs enjoy hunting small animals, birds, and insects, but also munch on tasty fruits. ### Where is New Guinea singing dog usually found? Mountain regions ### How does New Guinea singing dog hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/colorado-wolf-and-wildlife-center) — Colorado, US · Zoo ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [New Guinea singing dog: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/new-guinea-singing-dog)