maned wolf
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AI overview
The maned wolf is a large wild dog native to South America, distinguished by its long legs and distinctive mane of hair on its neck and back. While it resembles a fox or wolf in appearance, it plays an important ecological role in its South American habitat as a predator and plays a part in local ecosystems.
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Wikidata facts
- Instance of
- taxon
- Parent taxon
- Chrysocyon
- Mass
- +23
- Image
- Maned wolf “Chrysocyon brachyurus”.jpg
Show 4 more facts
- P105
- species
- P141
- Near Threatened
- P2974
- meadow
- P9714
- Aragarças
via Wikidata · CC0
Article
The maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) is a large canine of South America. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, and Paraguay, and is almost extinct in Uruguay. Its markings resemble those of a red fox but it is neither a fox nor a wolf. It is the only species in the genus Chrysocyon (from Greek χρῡσο-κύων [chrúso-kúōn], "golden dog"). The maned wolf's young pups appear to have darker fur than the bronze, grown ones.
It is the largest canine in South America, weighing 20–30 kg (44–66 lb) and up to 110 cm (43 in) at the withers. Its slender legs and dense reddish coat give it a distinctive appearance. The maned wolf is a crepuscular and omnivorous animal adapted to the open environments of the South American savanna, with an important role in the seed dispersal of fruits, especially the wolf apple (Solanum lycocarpum). The maned wolf is a solitary animal. It communicates primarily by scent marking, but also gives a loud call known as "roar-barking".