The Maned Wolf or ‘Skunk Wolf’

RD

Family, Genus, and Species

Family- Canidae

Genus- Chrysocyn (the only species)

Species- C.brachyurus

Physical Appearance and Anatomy

The adult Maned Wolf stands 26 (Females) to 42 (males) inches tall at the shoulders. Stands 3.3ft tall Adults length in average is 49 inches long, head to the tip of the tail. Adults normally weigh 44.1(females) to 75.2 (males) pounds. They are the tallest of the Wild Canids due to their long lanky legs that are an adaption to the tall grasslands. Their tails measure 11-18 inches in lengthThe fur is a reddish brown to golden orange on the sides with the long, black legs and black mane. Their throat is patched white and so if the edge of their tails. Their anatomy is the same as any domesticated or wild dog. Their limbs and skeletal structures are just longer.

Habitat and Niche

• Different habitats a crossed South America. • Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina • They live in open grass and scrublands, woodlands

and wet (flood) fields. • They live on farmland but only prey on the chickens. • Omivoruous: Feeds on small mammals, birds,

reptiles and fish as well as insects and seasonal fruit • Usulally nocturnal and shy

Symbiotic Relationships

• A predator to rodents, birds, and fish• They have a mutual relationship with Lobelia: The

Lobelia plant protects the Wolf from a parasite called the giant kidney worm. The Wolf eats the plants but does not digest the seeds, they travel around and when they defecate the seeds are planted.

• The Wolves also helps Ants, their feces acts as fertilizer for the ants to move around and build their homes with.

Source of energy Nothing eats this animal. But it is hunted by domesticated dogs whom will kill this animal if

encountered with

They eat small mammals : Wild guinea pigs, rabbits and young viscachas. As well as pacas and agoutis.

They eat birds and small reptiles as well as fruit such as sugarcane, lobelia and other plants.

Reproduction

• Their breeding months are November through April• Gestation lasts 60-65 days • 2-6 pups; each weighing 450grams • Pups are born fully black and adorable• Maned Wolves usually mate when they are two years

old. The wolves have only one mate and they are mates through out their entire lives. The Wolves only interact with one another during breeding season

• In August and early September the mothers give birth

Reproductive benefitsThe Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute are researching

how to apply modern assisted reproductive technologies to Maned wolves in captive breeding programs to raise their

populationsEvery time they reproduce they increase their droppping

population by at least 2-6 pups.

Threats or Environmental hazards• Giant kidney worms kill Maned Wolves• Habitat destruction• The Maned Wolves have almost no natural enemies (besides the

worms)• The animals that do kill these Wolves are domestic dogs that carry

disease again spread the disease to the Wolves.• Humans kill these wolves because they believe they have magical

healing powers. Usually they’ll take their eyes and their teeth and wear them around their necks. They also eat the meat off of them as well.

• Chicken farms kill them for killing their chickens• The people in South America usually do not follow their Speed limits

(neither do we) and hit and kill these Wolves. Approximately 2 pups die per year due to the cars.

Threats the organism has on others and protection of Maned Wolves

• These Wolves only threaten the organism they eat.

• It is Illegal to hunt them in Brazil, Paraguay and Boliva.

• They are protected in Argentina, Bolivia , Brazil, Paraguay and Peru.

Importance of the Maned Wolf

Without the maned wolf. Rodents, Insects, Fish and birds population would grow

rapidly and uncontrollable. There would be too many plants for the lands as well.

The Ants would not get their fertilizers for the seed germination and the Lobelia plants would not get spread around.

Citations

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/amazonia/facts/manedwolffacts.cfm

http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/f2012/demuth_chel/Threats.htm

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/summary/4819/0

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maned_wolf

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