One is the Loneliest Number; How Dingoes changed Humans

In many areas, humans moved into lands occupied by wolves and developed relationships with these four-legged social hunters. In one place the situation was reversed; humans were present well before social canids arrived, creating a relationship unlike any other (Dingo makes us human). Aboriginal people of Australia and dingoes were the only large placental mammals on an entire continent. Aboriginal people do not regard themselves as owners of dingoes. Aboriginal peoples had no other placental companions until dingoes arrived around 5000 ybp. Aboriginal people love dingoes deeply because their presence offered new ways of thinking about identity. Before dingoes Australia was a lonely place. Humans were so pleased to have another placental companion who shared their social proclivities and hunting traditions, that they felt no need to change their new companions into a domestic form, although they raised and socialized puppies, increasing overall dingo breeding success.