Maned Wolf

male and female African lions

Maned Wolf

Chrysocyon brachyurus
Class

Mammalia

Order

Carnivora

Family

Canidae

Range

Central and southeastern Brazil, Paraguay, eastern Bolivia, and northern Argentina

Size

Height: 2 -3 ft (at shoulder)
Length: 3 - 4 ft
Weight: Up to 50 lbs

Habitat

Open forest, savanna, and marshland

Young

1 - 5 pups
Gestation: 55 - 65 days

Diet

Smalll mammals, insects, reptiles, birds, bird eggs, fruits, and vegetation

IUCN Status

Near Threatened

Maned wolves resemble a red fox on stilts.

However, they are not related to foxes or members of the wolf family. They are in their own unique genus of species.

Unique Canid

Maned wolves are largest canid in South America. Their long legs enable them to see above the tall grass, which helps them hunt for food and avoid predators. Maned wolves are unique in that they will eat both plant and animal matter.

Communication

The maned wolf's urine has a strong distinctive smell similar to skunk spray. Maned wolves mark their territory with scent glands, as well as urine and feces deposited around the perimeter. Instead of howling, maned wolves communicate with their mates and warn off rivals by making a distinctive loud bark.

Growing Up Maned Wolf

At birth, the pups weigh around 13 ounces. Their eyes and ears open by day nine. By week four, their ears stand upright, and they will take regurgitated food. Their coat changes from black to red by week 10, and they are weaned by 15 weeks. Pups generally leave the parents' territory at one year of age.

Status

The most significant threat to their population is the drastic reduction of habitat, especially due to conversion to agricultural land. They are also victim to roadway mortality.

Domestic dogs compete with maned wolves for food, spread diseases, and may even pursue and kill them. Humans kill these wolves for their body parts, believed to have magical properties.