The maned wolf is the largest canid native to South America, presenting a striking and unusual appearance. Despite its common name, it is not a “true” wolf and does not belong to the genus Canis. This unique mammal is instead the sole species within its own genus, Chrysocyon, which translates from Greek to “golden dog.” Its slender body and extremely long legs set it apart from other canids, adapting it to specific open environments.
Identifying Characteristics and Classification
The maned wolf’s classification places it outside of the familiar wolf and fox genera, Canis and Vulpes. Genetic studies confirm its unique evolutionary path, establishing it as a distinct species among canids. It possesses a slender, fox-like head, but its body structure is much taller and more elongated than a fox.
Its coat is a brilliant reddish-brown or golden-orange, contrasting sharply with its long, nearly black legs. The animal stands approximately 90 centimeters (about 3 feet) tall at the shoulder, with a total length up to 150 centimeters. It typically weighs between 20 and 30 kilograms (44–66 pounds). A distinctive black mane runs from the back of its head to its shoulders, which the animal can raise when perceiving a threat or displaying aggression.
Unique Habitat and Geographic Range
The maned wolf’s geographic range covers central and eastern South America, including parts of Brazil, Paraguay, northern Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru. The largest population resides in Brazil, where it is a flagship species for the nation’s savanna ecosystem. This canid primarily inhabits open and semi-open habitats, such as grasslands, scrublands, and open forests.
Its preferred environment is the Brazilian Cerrado, a vast savanna biome characterized by tall grasses and scattered trees. The animal’s disproportionately long, thin legs are an evolutionary adaptation for this habitat. These “stilt-like” legs allow the maned wolf to see over the tall vegetation when moving or searching for prey. They are also found in the Chaco region and open fields.
Diet and Foraging Habits
The maned wolf is an omnivore. Its diet is mixed, consisting of roughly 50% plant matter and 50% small animals. Animal prey includes small mammals like rodents and armadillos, along with birds, reptiles, and insects.
Plant matter is important to their survival, with fruits being a major component of the diet. The most commonly consumed fruit is the Solanum lycocarpum, often called the “wolf-apple” or “lobeira.” Consumption of this fruit is suspected to play a role in expelling the parasitic giant kidney worm (Dioctophyme renale).
Maned wolves are solitary hunters and do not form packs, which influences their foraging behavior. They stalk and pounce on small prey in a manner similar to a fox. Foraging activity is typically crepuscular or nocturnal, meaning they are most active during the twilight hours and at night.
Conservation Status and Threats
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the maned wolf as Near Threatened. This designation reflects a declining population trend across its range in South America. The largest threat is the widespread loss and fragmentation of its habitat, particularly the conversion of the Cerrado for agricultural use.
The expansion of human infrastructure causes problems, with road mortality being a major cause of death. Maned wolves also face disease transmission from domestic dogs, which can pass on viruses to the wild population. They are sometimes subjected to persecution due to the mistaken belief that they prey on livestock.