What is a "maned wolf"?

The maned wolf is a fascinating and distinctive canid species that is native to South America. It has a fox-like appearance, with a slender body, long legs, and a relatively short coat of fur that can vary in color from reddish-brown to golden-yellow. One of its most unique features is the mane-like band of long fur along its back, which can be raised to make the animal appear larger when threatened. Despite its name, the maned wolf is not closely related to wolves and is actually the only species in its genus, Chrysocyon. Unlike many other canids, the maned wolf is primarily herbivorous, with a diet that consists mainly of fruits, vegetables, and small mammals occasionally. They are also known for their keen senses of smell and hearing, which aid them in locating food in their grassland and forest habitats. Maned wolves are typically solitary animals, and they have a relatively low population density, making them elusive and challenging to study in the wild. They are classified as a "near threatened" species due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and human encroachment on their natural habitat, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to protect this unique and captivating canid species.