Maned Wolf Facts: South America’s Mysterious “Fox on Stilts”

The maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) is one of the most unique canids in the world. Found in the grasslands and scrub forests of South America, they’re instantly recognizable for their long legs, reddish coat, and distinctive black mane.

Despite their name, the maned wolf is not closely related to true wolves, foxes, coyotes, or dogs—they are the sole member of their own genus.

Maned Wolf Size and Appearance

The maned wolf is the tallest wild canid, standing about three feet (90 cm) at the shoulder. Their long, slender legs are an adaptation for seeing over tall grass in their native habitat. Adults weigh between 44–66 pounds (20–30 kg) and have a body length of around 3.3–4.4 feet (100–135 cm), not including the tail.

Their striking red-orange fur is offset by a black mane along their neck and back, which they can raise when alarmed. The maned wolf’s large ears help them detect prey, and their long muzzle gives them a keen sense of smell.

Diet: More Than Just Meat

Unlike true wolves, the maned wolf is an omnivore. Around 50% of their diet consists of fruit, especially the lobeira, or “wolf apple,” a tomato-like fruit native to Brazil. They also hunt small mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects. This varied diet makes the maned wolf an important seed disperser, helping maintain the biodiversity of its ecosystem.

Behavior and Habitat

Onçafari / Gabriela Longo

Maned wolves are solitary animals, coming together only to mate. They communicate through scent-marking, high-pitched whines, and a deep, barking roar known as the “roar-bark.”

They live primarily in the Cerrado, a vast tropical savanna in Brazil, but can also be found in parts of Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina, and Peru. The maned wolf’s range is shrinking due to habitat loss from agriculture, cattle ranching, and urban expansion.

Maned Wolf vs. Dire Wolf

Although both species share “wolf” in their names, the maned wolf and the dire wolf (Aenocyon dirus) are not closely related. The dire wolf was a large pack-hunting predator, while the maned wolf is a solitary omnivore adapted to grasslands. Their evolutionary paths diverged millions of years ago.

Threats to the Maned Wolf

The IUCN Red List currently classifies the maned wolf as Near Threatened, with an estimated population of fewer than 17,000 mature individuals. Key threats include:

• Habitat destruction from agricultural expansion.
• Road mortality, as maned wolves often cross highways in search of food.
• Persecution due to misconceptions that they prey on animals exploited for food.

Conservation Efforts

Conservation programs in Brazil and other countries focus on habitat preservation, public education, and reducing human-wildlife conflict. Protecting the Cerrado and creating wildlife corridors are crucial to ensuring the species’ survival.

The maned wolf is a vital part of South America’s grassland ecosystems—an unmistakable symbol of the region’s biodiversity. Protecting its habitat and reducing threats from human activity are essential to ensuring this unique species continues to roam the grasslands for generations to come.

Maned wolves are unlike any other animal on Earth—long-legged, fox-like, and completely unique to South America. The more we learn about them, the more we realize just how important they are to the grasslands they call home.

That’s why World Animal Protection has teamed up with our partners at Onçafari on a two-year monitoring project in Brazil’s Bahia state and the Cerrado biome. With vital tools like radio collars, camera traps, and even a drone, we’re tracking where maned wolves roam, how they live, and what threats they’re facing.

World Animal Protection / Fernanda Ligabue

This research helps us act quickly in emergencies and, just as importantly, gives us the data we need to push the Brazilian government and farming industry to better protect these near-threatened animals and their fragile savannah habitat.

The survival of maned wolves isn’t just about saving a single species—it’s about protecting entire ecosystems. With your support and the dedication of wildlife advocates around the world, these incredible animals can continue playing their vital role in nature. Donate today.