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Good Morning All.

Well I though for today we could have a look at this fascinating animal

MANED WOLF, with the binomial name Chrysocyon brachyurus, is the largest canine species in South America. It looks like a big fox in some ways, but is a member of dog family. It is often known as ‘red fox on stilts’, due to the colour of its fur (orangish-brown to golden orange) that it shares with the red fox and its extremely log black legs, which make it look as if the animal is standing on stilts. The long legs are probably adapted to the tall grasslands of its native habitat. Its name maned wolf is based on its characteristic black mane, which can be erected along the back. The animal possesses large triangular ears, distinctive long tail and big nose.

Facts About Maned Wolf

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Family: Canidae

Subfamily: Caninae

Genus:Chrysocyon

Species: C. brachyurus

Height: 1 m (3.3 ft)

Weight: 20 to 25 kg (44 to 55 lb)

Life Span: Approximately 15 years

Diet: Rodents, other small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, fruit, and other vegetable matter

Range: Central and Eastern Brazil, Eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay

Habitat: Grasslands, savannahs, and swamps

Age of Sexual Maturity: 365 days (males); 730 days (females)

Gestation Period: 62-66 days

Number of Offspring: 2 to 6 black-furred pups

Maned Wolf is an astonishing animal, native to South America, with physical features of a hyena, the head and coat colour of a wolf and the large ears of an African hunting dog.

The animal forms a monogamous pair and exhibits a solitary lifestyle. In pairs, it might defend a shared territory of about 30 square km.

Male and female wolves typically associate in breeding season only, which begins in the month of April.

The female maned wolf gives birth to 2 to 6 pups and does not depend on her partner to bring them up. However, males help raise pups by reiterating food until they are 10 months old in captivity.

The long legs of this specie enables it see above tall grass, making easy for the animal to spot prey as well as hide from it.

Both male and female maned wolves use their urine to communicate, like marking the hunting paths and burying of the hunted prey.

The animal uses its sharp teeth to dig inside its prey, instead of using the claws. It further bites the prey on the neck and back and shakes it violently, if necessary.

Maned wolf does not form packs; rather it prefers to hunt alone.

The animal is an extremely stunning canid, owing to its physical features and conspicuous way of moving.

Maned wolf has a distinctive odour, which has given it the nickname of ‘skunk wolf’ as well.

It is a very shy animal, which flees when alarmed and attack humans only when it feels threatened or afraid.

Amongst the locals, maned wolf is believed to have supernatural powers. Its right eye is supposed to bring luck in gambling.

Another superstition has it that if children wear a necklace having a maned wolf tooth, they will not have dental problems in future.

The animal’s fur is used for making amulets as well as in religious ceremonies, by the native South American inhabitants

Fun Facts

• The maned wolf is the largest wild dog of South America.

• In Brazil, the night cry of the maned wolf is believed to portend changes in the weather.

• The maned wolf does not use its claws for digging, but instead uses its teeth.

• The maned wolf loves to eat bananas, guavas and sugar cane!

.Conservation Connection

IUCN Status: Near Threatened. The maned wolf is listed as endangered due to habitat loss for agriculture and ranching. Their survival is also threatened by the destruction of the native fruit trees that are one of their main food sources. Poultry farmers kill the wolves because they sometimes prey on

The seldom heard call

Pups      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCTbaqR28Ts&feature=relmfu

The Maned Wolf      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0Lp3Z9N_lU

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The Dyfi Osprey Project and the Scottish wildlife Trust  have kindly given their permission for us to post still and video images from their webcams. To visit their sites please click on the relevant link.    Loch of the Lowes.  Dyfi Osprey Project.