Maned Wolf
In Brazil, the cry of the Maned Wolf at night is believed to portend changes in the weather. Its gaze is said to be able to fell a chicken. These are two of the myths that shroud South America's largest and most distinctive canid. Although considered endangered throughout its range, it remains one of the least studied of the wild dogs.
The Maned Wolf is so named for the patch of long black erectile hairs across the shoulders and for its wolf-like size. But it is not a true wolf, and mostly resembles in general form and colouring a long-legged Red Fox. The tail is relatively short, the ears are erect, and the coat is softer in texture than that of many canids and lacks under fur.
It has been suggested that its long legs are an adaptation for fast running. In fact, Maned Wolves, which have a characteristic loping gait, are not particularly swift runners, and their long legs are most likely an adaptation to tall grassland habitats.
Maned Wolves are opportunists, taking small vertebrate prey up to the size of pacas, which weigh about 18 pounds. Rabbits, small rodents, armadillos, and birds are the most common prey, with occasional fish, insects and reptiles. Seasonally available fruits make up abut half the diet, the most frequent being Solanum lycarpum, known as the "fruit of the lobo" - the "wolf's fruit", which may have therapeutic properties agains the Giant Kidney Worm (dioctophyma renale), common in the Maned Wolf.
Foraging is usually done at night, some sometimes occurs in the day in areas less disturbed by man. The animals hunt alone and may cover 20 miles (32 kilometers) in the course of a night. They catch small vertebrates by using a slow stalk followed by a stiff-legged pounce similar to that of Red Foxes.
Although sexually mature after about one year, Maned Wolves probably do not breed until they are nearly two years of age. Females produce one litter (2 to 5 pups) per year, usually in June-September. The young reach adult size in about a year. Male Maned Wolves in captivity have been observed caring for the pups, and feeding them by regurgitation. Females probably also regurgitate food to young. The breeding of the species in captivity has rarely been successful.
The Maned Wolf is classified by the IUCN as "vulnerable" and by the Brazilian government as "endangered". The species' range has diminished considerably during recent decades.