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Spotting a maned wolf in the wild might leave you stunned—it resembles a tall, lanky fox with a shaggy coat and an elongated snout. Interestingly, its urine has a distinct aroma similar to a well-known recreational substance. Discover 10 intriguing details about this extraordinary creature you probably haven’t encountered before.
1. IT HOLDS THE TITLE OF THE TALLEST WILD CANINE.
Standing at an impressive shoulder height of up to 35 inches, the maned wolf is the tallest wild species in the canine family. However, it’s not the heaviest; adult maned wolves weigh only around 50 pounds, compared to the grey wolf, which can tip the scales at 175 pounds. The maned wolf’s remarkable height is due to its unusually long legs, likely an adaptation to its preferred habitat. These animals inhabit open grasslands across Brazil, Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina, leading experts to believe their elongated legs evolved to help them peer over tall grasses and shrubs while hunting for prey.
2. DESPITE ITS NAME, IT’S NOT TRULY A WOLF.
Contrary to its name, the maned wolf isn’t a fox either, a fact evident from its round pupils. Real foxes possess vertically slitted pupils, which aid them in hunting during low-light conditions. Due to its unique anatomical features, the maned wolf defies classification as a fox, wolf, dog, coyote, or jackal. A 2009 genetic study revealed that its closest relative was the now-extinct Falkland Islands wolf, which disappeared around 1880. (Interestingly, that species wasn’t a true wolf either.) The two species likely shared a common ancestor approximately 6.7 million years ago.
Scientists believe that, among living animals, the maned wolf is most closely related to the bush dog, another peculiar creature native to the Americas. The bush dog, with its stocky build and webbed toes, is well-adapted for digging and a semi-aquatic lifestyle. These animals are primarily found in Panama and South America.
3. IT COMMUNICATES USING THREE DISTINCT SOUNDS.
In the video above, you can hear the maned wolf’s distinctive roar-bark. This deep, resonant sound is primarily used by mates to communicate across vast distances. When agitated or threatened, the maned wolf emits a low growl as a warning. Additionally, it produces high-pitched whines, often used as friendly greetings.
4. IT’S A CRUCIAL OMNIVORE IN ITS ECOSYSTEM.
Studies of fecal matter reveal that fruits and vegetables make up between one-third to half of a maned wolf’s diet in the wild. These canids frequently consume roots and bulbs, but they show a particular fondness for a tomato-like fruit called the wolf apple, named for the animal’s strong preference for it. Also known as loberia fruit, it’s believed to help protect the maned wolf from parasitic kidney worms.
Loberia seeds have a higher chance of germination after being digested by a maned wolf. Additionally, these animals have a unique habit of defecating on leaf cutter ant nests. The ants then use the feces to fertilize their fungal gardens, inadvertently dispersing any seeds into their waste piles, where the seeds can sprout and grow into fruit-bearing plants. This creates a mutually beneficial cycle that sustains both species.
Despite their omnivorous tendencies, maned wolves are skilled carnivores. They excel at hunting small mammals, with armadillos and rodents being their primary prey. They also consume reptiles, birds, insects, and eggs whenever the opportunity arises.
5. MANED WOLVES PREFER A SOLITARY LIFESTYLE.
Unlike true wolves, maned wolves do not form packs. While adults live in monogamous pairs and jointly defend a territory of about 15 square miles, the male and female seldom interact outside of the breeding season. For the majority of the year, they hunt, travel, and sleep independently. However, between April and June, the pair reunites to mate. After a gestation period of 62 to 66 days, the female gives birth to one to five pups. In captivity, males assist in raising the young, though it’s unclear if wild males exhibit the same behavior.
6. NEWBORNS ARE BORN WITH DARK BROWN FUR.
These incredibly cute pups are born with nearly black fur. As they grow, their coats transition to a reddish color, though the lower halves of their legs remain dark, and they retain a white tuft on their tails. Additionally, they develop a mane—a strip of dark fur running down their necks and ending just above the shoulders. (More on this feature later.)
7. THEIR SLEEP PATTERNS CHANGE WITH SEASONS AND LOCATION.
Maned wolves are often described as crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. However, this is an oversimplification. Their activity levels fluctuate significantly based on the season and their geographic location. For example, in Bolivia, maned wolves may roam at any time during the wet season but become strictly nocturnal in the dry season. Conversely, in Brazil, they tend to be active during the day in the dry season and switch to nighttime activity during the wet season.
8. THE MANE ACTS AS A DEFENSIVE FEATURE.
When feeling threatened, the maned wolf’s mane hairs stand on end, making the animal seem larger and more intimidating. To further exaggerate this display, it will stand tall, lower its head, and arch its back in a menacing posture.
9. MANED WOLVES ARE LISTED AS NEAR-THREATENED.
The survival of these unique, long-legged canids is uncertain. Estimates suggest only about 17,000 mature adults remain in the wild, primarily in Brazil, where their population has dropped by approximately 20 percent in the last 15 years. Often blamed for attacking poultry, maned wolves are frequently hunted by farmers across South America. They are also vulnerable to diseases transmitted by domestic dogs, which often show hostility toward them. However, the most significant threat is habitat destruction. As grasslands and forests are converted into farmland and settlements, maned wolves are increasingly displaced. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies them as near-threatened, indicating they could soon become vulnerable or endangered. Conservation efforts, including awareness campaigns and breeding programs, may help secure their future.
10. THEIR URINE HAS A DISTINCTIVE MARIJUANA-LIKE SCENT.
While roar-barks are notable, maned wolves rely heavily on scent for communication. Like many animals, they use urine to mark their territories, but their urine is far from ordinary. It contains pyrazines, hexagonal compounds made of nitrogen, carbon, and hydrogen, which produce a strong aroma reminiscent of marijuana smoke.
This unique trait was accidentally discovered by a Dutch police department in 2006. Authorities were called to the Rotterdam Zoo in South Holland after visitors reported the smell of marijuana. To everyone’s surprise, the source was a maned wolf marking its territory, not a human smoker.
All images courtesy of iStock.
