cog-nito: Maned Wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus)
No, this isn’t the product of a giraffe-fox hookup in Vegas, it’s actually a maned wolf and is sometimes described as a red fox on stilts because of its characteristic long limbs. With a reddish yellow coat and a darker colored stripe running from the nape of the neck to its back, it has an erect mane and a dark muzzle. The long, bushy tail is usually dark, but may be lighter..sometimes even white.
An inhabitant of South American grassland or scrub, this wolf may be found peering over vegetation for prey or potential danger. It is nocturnal and has a varied diet that includes rabbits, birds, mice, grubs, and ants, as well as plant matter such as fruits and berries. The maned wolf is known to kill small livestock and is therefor considered a ‘pest’ in some areas. But we all know animals aren’t the pests, humans are, right? Female and male wolves form monogamous pairs, sharing a territory and mating every year, usually in May or June.
Maned wolves make several sounds that are mostly heard at night. Disputes over territory evoke typical doglike growls. Guttural barks also warn away intruders and probably help the territorial pair to keep in audible contact.
Photo by De Paula FJ






