World of the Wolf - Chrysocyon brachyurus

Chrysocyon brachyurus - Maned wolf
Range: South America
Size: 44 lb (20 kg)

The maned "wolf" (Chrysocyon brachyurus) is not actually a wolf, but a very unusual canid from the grasslands of South America. It is much more closely related to foxes than wolves. It has reddish fur, large ears, and very long legs which help it to traverse the tall grass of its habitat. With its stilt-like legs, it stands about 30 inches (76 cm) tall at the shoulder. Its average adult weight is about 44 lb (20 kg).

The maned wolf is of a lineage dating back some 6 million years. It is the only large wild canid which survives in South America from earlier times, and has no close living relatives on that continent. The maned wolf is solitary for most of its life. Pairs share a territory, but generally only come together to breed. Both parents share the task of rearing the young. The young are always attended by at least one adult, whilst the other goes in search of food.

The maned wolf is considered vulnerable, as farmers still routinely hunt them for fear that they will cause livestock loss, mainly poultry. Disease is also partly responsible for the decline in numbers. Argentina and Brazil retain the largest populations of the species. In recent times, increasing areas of grassland in parts of Brazil have apparently aided in maned wolf recovery, and numbers there seem to be on the rise. Public education about the maned wolf is now underway in South America to persuade locals to be more understanding and tolerant of this unique species.