The maned wolf is the largest of south America, resembling a large fox with reddish fur. They have long bushy tails and slender body's. They have a dark mane of fur on their neck which is why they are called the maned wolf.
Close relatives
The maned wolf is not a true wolf, but grouped as one of the three kinds of South American canids. It is most like a long legged fox.
The maned wolf is found in remote areas in grassland and round edges of swamps in South America.
Young
Litters of up to five young are born once a year after a gestation period of about 65days.
Characteristics
This is a large animal weighing about 50 pounds(22kg) with extremely long legs for its body mass, clad in black "stockings". The adult maned wolf has a distinctive white-tipped tail, white patches at the throat and an erectile mane around the neck and across the shoulders.
Food
Maned wolves devour fresh meat when they can catch it, but fruit is about 50% of their diet.
The maned wolf is classified as near threatened. Individual animals hunt mainly at night; their partiality for farm poultry and lambs has resulted in trapping and shooting. These free-ranging animals, whose stilt-like legs are perfectly adapted for moving through tall prairie grass, are highly adaptable and opportunistic feeders.
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