Family: Canidae

Chrysocyon brachyurus

Nickname: Stilt-legged fox

Vocabulary: monogamous, noctural, omnivorous, lobeira

Physical Appearance: The maned wolf appears as a cross among different species: the head and coloring of a wolf, the large ears of an African hunting dog and the body of a hyena. Some think the wolf looks like a mix between a wolf and a fox. What do you think? Maned wolves are about 3 feet tall shoulder height and weigh 50 pounds. Its body is covered with golden-red fur, and has black legs and a black mane.

Adaptations: The long legs of the maned wolf allow it to see better in the tall grasses of the savannah.

Reproductive Cycle and Habits: Maned wolves live in monogamous (having one partner for life) pairs and only interact during the breeding season. April marks the beginning of the breeding season. In August and early September mothers give birth to 2-5 maned wolf pups. In captivity, males help raise pups by regurgitating food. Capitive maned wolves live between 12-15 years. Little information is known about family habits of wild maned wolves.

Range: The maned wolf lives in South America - northern Argentina, Paraguay, eastern Bolivia, and southeastern Peru.

Biome: Tropical savannah and tropical scrub forest

Habitat: Maned wolves live in the South American grasslands and scrub forests of Brazil, northern Argentina, Paraguay, eastern Bolivia and southeastern Peru.

IUCN Status: Vulnerable It is estimated that there are between 4500 - 2200 maned wolves .

Threats to Survival: Habitat destruction through agricultural development threatens maned wolves. The effects of agriculture --overgrazing by cattle, annual burning of pasture and soil erosion -- leave less food and territory for maned wolves. The consequence of these threats are similiar to lion tamarins: reproductive isolation. Maned wolves cannot meet and mate with other maned wolves when they are isolated from each other. Sometimes maned wolves are killed by ranchers when they try to eat domestic chickens, a convenient food.

Behavior: Maned wolves are noctural (most active in the night) preferring to rest under forest cover during the day and hunt until sunrise. Contrary to popular opinion, these animals are very shy and only attack humans when they feel threatened or afraid.

Diet: The omnivorous (eating both plants and animals) maned wolf prefers to eat lobeira (tomato-like fruit) and small mammals like rodents and chickens. The fondeness for domestic chickens gets maned wolves into trouble with ranchers.

Cultural Importance: The maned wolf is believed to have supernatural and medicinal powers. The right eye is said to bring luck with gambling. It is also thought that a necklace with a maned wolf tooth worn by children prevents future dental problems.