MANED WOLF
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Chrysocyon brachyurus
HOUSE NAME: Male "Thiago" Female "Lelah"
HABITAT: Tall grasslands and shrub habitat of Central South America
FUN FACT:
The Maned Wolf is not an especially swift canid, does not pursue prey for long distances and generally stalks and pounces like a fox. Its long legs appear to have evolved for life in the grasslands and pampas allowing them to see above the tall grass. The maned wolf was originally placed in the genus Canis (wolves, foxes, etc), but is now in a genus of its own, Chrysocyon.
DIET:
Omnivorous; consuming mainly fruits and small to medium sized vertebrates; particularly rodents. They are also known to kill chickens. Almost all foraging is done from dusk to dawn. Primary food is the Solanum lycoocarpum, known as wolf apple. Diet is approximately half plant and half animal material.
DESCRIPTION:
Described as a red fox on stilts; having the longest legs in proportion to their spine of any canid. Shoulder height is 29-34 inches, taller than all but the largest gray wolves. At 44 – 66 lb., they weigh less than half of most wolves. Head –body length 37 – 45 in. Tail is 15 – 19 ½ in. Coat color is reddish orange; lower legs and muzzle are black; the throat is white and often much of the tail is white. Common name comes from the mane-like strip of black fur running from the back of the head to the shoulders.