Mammals · Carnivora · Canidae

Maned Wolf

Chrysocyon brachyurus

Near Threatened

It could become endangered in the near future if current threats go unchecked. See full glossary

Its extraordinarily long legs, which give it the look of an animal on stilts, are an adaptation for seeing over the tall vegetation of the Brazilian Cerrado. It is not closely related to any other living canid, and is the only species in its genus.

Weight

20 kg – 30 kg

Size

1 m – 1.3 m

Lifespan

8 years

Diet

Omnivore

Combines animal and plant food depending on availability.

Activity

Nocturnal

Active mainly at night.

Social structure

In pairs

Usually lives in pairs, sometimes for life.

Sighting difficulty

Moderate

SavannaGrasslandOmnivore Nocturnal In pairs Near Threatened Savanna Grassland Mammal

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Fun facts

taxonomíaDespite its name it is neither wolf nor fox, but the only surviving member of its own genus, with disproportionately long legs adapted to the tall grassland where it lives.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (mammal)
Habitat & environment: Cerrado savanna, tall grassland and scrub of central South America
Birth weight: 340 - 430 grams
Size at birth: Black at birth, with a white tail tip from the start
Sexual maturity: 2 years
Gestation / incubation: 60-65 days
Litter / clutch size: 1 to 5 young per litter (most commonly 2-3)
Lifespan in captivity: Documented record of up to 16.8 years in captivity