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| Maned
Wolf |
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| Common
Name: |
maned
wolf |
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| Class:
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Mammalia |
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| Order: |
Carnivora |
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| Family:
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Canidae |
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| Genus
species: |
Chrysocyon
brachyurus |
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| Fast
Facts |
| Description:
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Overall
coat is reddish-yellow. Hair along ridge of back is longer and may
be darker than rest of coat. Muzzle and lower legs are dark. Throat
and tail are light. Ears are long and pronounced. Hair along neck
and shoulders is thick, longish, and erectile - hence the common name. |
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| Size:
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head
& body length = 950-1,320 mm
tail length = 280-490 mm
shoulder height = 740-900 mm |
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| Weight:
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20 -
26 kg |
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| Diet:
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Rodents,
other small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, fruit, and other vegetable
matter. |
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| Gestation: |
62-66
days; weaned by 15 weeks |
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| Sexual
maturity: |
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| Life
span: |
approximately
15 years |
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| Range:
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central
and eastern Brazil, eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay |
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| Habitat:
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Grasslands,
savannahs, and swamps |
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| Population: |
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| Status:
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near
threatened by the IUCN; endangered by the USDI; appendix II of CITES |
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| Fun
Facts |
| 1. |
The
particularly long legs of the maned wolf are likely an adapation which
allows them to see above the tall grass in which they often hunt.
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| 2. |
Maned
wolves exhibit monogomous pairings, with breeding pairs defending
a territory averaging 27 km2. Despite the concerted defense
of territory, male and female wolves typically only associate closely
during breeding season. |
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| 3. |
In a
zoological setting, male maned wolves have been observed regurigitating
food for their young. This may indicate that the male plays a significant
role in the care of young in the natural enviroment. |
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| Ecology
and Conservation |
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While
not often hunted for its coat, the maned wolf is hunted as a reaction
to its portrayal as a threat to domesticated livestock, particularly
chickens. It faces additional pressures as its grassland habitat
is burned for human purposes. The maned wolf currently has virtually
no presence in Argentina and Uruguay as a result of these pressures.
Of note, however, is the extension of their Brazilian range as they
exploit recently deforested regions.
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| Bibliography |
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Nowak,
Ronald M. Walker's Mammals of the World - Volume I (Sixth
Edition)
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| Return
to Expedition
Pantanal 2002 |
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| Return
to Animal Bytes |
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