Maned wolf: Difference between revisions

The Maned Wolf is a Mammal in the Canid family. It has reddish brown fur and noticeably long dark legs. They are found in South American tall grasslands and scrub forests in Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Argentina, and Uruguay. Maned Wolves are omnivores, and eat a variety of foods such as small rodents, rabbits, birds, reptiles, fish, insects and other invertebrates, fruit, sugarcane and other plants. It is also nocturnal, hunting at night.

[[File:Maned Wolf headshot.jpg|thumb|150px|left|The Maned Wolf has large rounded ears.]]

The Maned wolf is covered in reddish brown fur. <ref name=wwf>[http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/species/profiles/mammals/wolf_maned/ Maned Wolf] ''World Wildlife Fund For Nature''. Accessed 9 January 2017. Unknown Author. </ref> They have long, slender legs and pointed muzzles, both black in color. <ref name=wolfcenter>[http://www.endangeredwolfcenter.org/educational-resources/maned-wolf/#. Maned Wolf] ''Endangered Wolf Center''. Accessed January 16, 2017. Unknown Author. </ref> Maned wolves have white chins, throats, ears, and tail tips.  Along their back is a strip of fur (the "mane") that can stand upright when danger is sensed. <ref name=arkive> [http://www.arkive.org/maned-wolf/chrysocyon-brachyurus/ Maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus)] ''Arkive''. Authenticated September 15, 2008. Unknown Author.</ref> Maned Wolves are very large, measuring 42 inches (107 centimeters) tall, and weighing 75 pounds (34 kilograms). Despite being so large, they are timid and quite skittish. <ref name=factzoo> [http://www.factzoo.com/mammals/maned-wolf-long-legs-red-fox-head.html Maned Wolf - Long Legs With Red Fox Head] ''FactZoo''. Accessed January 17, 2017. Unknown Author. </ref>

[[File:Maned Wolf Pup.jpg|thumb|150px|left|A young Maned Wolf pup with mother.]]

Maned wolves are monogamous, meaning they only have one mate.<ref name=officialsite>[http://themanedwolfresource.weebly.com/reproduction.html Reproduction In the Maned Wolf] ''The Maned Wolf Resource''. Accessed 18 January, 2017. Unknown Author. </ref> Breeding season is between August and October. After a 65 day gestation period, the pups are born. At birth, the pups weigh 12-15 ounces (340-430 grams) and are dark grey in color (see picture at left). They change color as they grow and are red by 10 weeks. By 15 weeks, they are weaned. The Maned Wolf pups leave their parents at 1 year, when they become sexually mature. <ref name=uwsp> Melanie Hanson. [http://www.uwsp.edu/biology/VertebrateCollection/Pages/Vertebrates/Mammals%20of%20Paraguay/Chrysocyon%20brachyurus/Chrysocyon%20brachyurus.aspx Chrysocyon brachyurus - Maned Wolf] ''University of Wisconsin Steven's Point''. Last updated March 29, 2005.</ref>

[[File:Maned wolf with chicken in mouth.jpg|thumb|150px|left|A Maned Wolf carrying a chicken in its mouth.]]

Maned Wolves are found in tall grasslands and scrub forests of South America. Their range extends across Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Argentina, and a small area in Uruguay.<ref name=uwsp/> In tall grasslands, it is hot and humid. Few trees can survive because of undeveloped deep soil, but hardy grasses thrive here. The temperature can get to -40 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. Rainfall averages at 25-60 inches per year. This biome's year is divided into two seasons: a dormant season when nothing can grow because of the frost and a growing season when the temperature is high enough and grasses can grow.<ref>M., Sam. [http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/grasslands.htm Grasslands] ''Blue Planet Biomes''. Published 2000. </ref>

Maned wolves are omnivorous, and eat a variety of food. They eat small rodents such as cuis(wild guinea pigs), young viscachas, pacas, and agoutis. They also consume other meats: birds, reptiles, insects, and other invertebrates. A large portion of their diet includes plant matter such as fruits and sugarcane. <ref name=wwf/>

Maned Wolves are at the top of the food chain, and have no predators other than humans. Humans kill Maned Wolves to protect their livestock or just for sport. The Maned wolf's habitat is being destroyed so it can be used for agriculture. Humans restrict their numbers, making the species threatened.<ref> [http://www.whiteoakwildlife.org/animal-programs/maned-wolf/ Maned Wolf] ''White Oak Wildlife''. Accessed 18 January, 2017. Unknown Author. </ref>

[[File:Maned wolf mane.jpg|thumb|150px|left|The "mane" of the Maned Wolf.]]

The common name of ''Chrysocyon brachyurus'', the Maned Wolf, is a very misleading misnomer. First, the "mane" is just a strip of black fur on the Maned Wolf's back that can stand upright when startled. The fur of the "mane" is not even longer than the rest of its body. Secondly, the Maned Wolf is not a wolf at all in three aspects. While it is a Canid, it is not in the same genus as wolves. It is classified as closer to the bush dog. Also, most say it resembles a fox more than a wolf because of its reddish brown fur color. Lastly, the Maned Wolf is a highly solitary creature that only interacts with others of its species during mating season to breed. On the contrary, wolves are social and form packs and work together to hunt.

Unfortunately, like many other organisms, the Maned Wolf has been called a very inaccurate misnomer, resulting in much confusion when using its common name.

The Maned Wolf has a rarely heard call, the roar bark, that males use to communicate.