Where does the red wolf live? Red wolf (photo): A dangerous predator with an unusual appearance. Lifestyle and nutrition
One unique animal lives in South America, which is called the maned wolf (guara). It has both the features of a wolf and a fox and belongs to relic animals. Guara has an unusual appearance: graceful, atypical for a wolf, physique, long legs, sharp muzzle and rather large ears.
Description of the maned wolf
In appearance, a maned wolf simultaneously resembles a dog. It is not a very large animal. The length of his body is usually a little over a meter, and the height is 60-90 centimeters. The weight of an adult wolf can reach 25 kilograms.
Appearance
Its distinguishing feature is a sharp, fox-like muzzle, long neck and large, protruding ears. The body and tail are rather short, and the limbs are thin and long. The color of the maned wolf is also interesting. The predominant brown color of the coat in the belly area is replaced by yellow, and in the mane area - by reddish. A characteristic feature is also dark tan marks on the paws, the tip of the tail and the muzzle of the animal.
Guar wool is thick and soft. Along the back, it is somewhat longer than on other parts of the body, and forms a kind of "mane". In moments of danger, it can rise almost vertically. It is thanks to her that the maned wolf got its name. The long legs of a maned wolf are not well suited for running, they are rather designed to move through tall grass and better view the surroundings. It is noteworthy that guar cubs are born short-toed. The paws lengthen as the animal grows.
Character and lifestyle
Males and females of maned wolves lead a solitary lifestyle to a greater extent, uniting in pairs only during mating seasons. For them, the formation of packs is uncharacteristic, as for most canids. The peak of activity is in the evening and at night.
During the daytime, the guar usually rests among dense vegetation or in its lair, which the animal equips in an abandoned, empty hole or under a fallen tree. During daylight hours, it may be forced to move short distances. With the onset of darkness, the maned wolf goes hunting, combining it with patrolling its territory (usually these are areas up to 30 sq. M).
It is interesting! Animals feed alone. Long paws allow them to see prey over dense and tall vegetation, and large ears allow them to hear it in the dark. To better look around, the guar stands on its hind legs.
Males of the maned wolf are more active than females. The social structure in these animals is represented by a mating couple, which occupies a certain area of territory marked with excrement. The couple keeps quite independently: rest, food production and patrolling the territory are done alone. In captivity, animals keep more closely together - they feed, rest and raise offspring together. For males, the construction of a hierarchical system also becomes characteristic.
An interesting feature of the maned wolf is the sounds it makes. If a long and loud hooting is heard from the dense thickets of grass, this means that the animal in this way drives away uninvited guests from its territory. They are also able to make growls, loud barks and slight grunts.
Guar is not dangerous for people, there has not been a single recorded case of this animal attacking a person. Despite the ban on killing these animals, the number of the maned wolf is steadily declining. Locals exterminate it for sporting interest. The guar is not a very agile animal and is an easy prey for hunters, and the owners of the farms destroy it to protect livestock.
How long do guars live
Guar reaches sexual maturity in a year. The life expectancy of a maned wolf can reach 10-15 years.
Range, habitats
The habitat of the maned wolf is in certain countries of South America (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia). The habitats of this animal are mainly the pampas (South American lowlands with a subtropical climate and steppe vegetation).
Maned wolves are also common in dry savannas, in campos (tropical and subtropical ecosystem), as well as in hilly and wooded areas. There have been cases of guar habitat in marshy areas. But in the mountains and rain forests, this animal is not found. It is rare throughout its range.
Maned wolf diet
Although the maned wolf is a predatory animal, its diet contains a lot of food not only of animal, but also of plant origin. The guar feeds mainly on small rodents, rabbits, large insects, reptiles, fish, mollusks, as well as birds and their eggs. Occasionally attacks rare deer for the pampas.
It is interesting! If a maned wolf lives near human settlements, then he is quite capable of raiding their farms, attacking lambs, chickens or pigs. Therefore, local residents are trying in every possible way to drive the guar away from their possessions.
Despite the fact that the maned wolf is a predator, he does not hunt very successfully. This animal cannot run fast because it has a small lung capacity. And underdeveloped jaws do not allow him to attack large animals, so armadillos, rats, tuko-tuko and agouti form the basis of his diet. In lean, dry years, maned wolves may form small packs, allowing them to prey on larger animals.
Reproduction and offspring
Mating games and the breeding season for guars fall in mid-autumn and winter. In the wild, offspring appear in the dry season (June-September). The female arranges a lair in secluded places with dense vegetation.
It is interesting! She bears offspring for 60-66 days. Usually, one to seven puppies are born, which is what wolf cubs are called.
Wolf cubs have a dark gray color and a white tip of the tail.. Their weight is 300-400 grams. For the first 9 days after birth, puppies remain blind. Their ears begin to stand after a month, and the coat begins to acquire the color characteristic of adults only after 2.5 months. For the first month, the female feeds her offspring with milk, after which she adds solid, semi-digested food to their diet, which she regurgitates to them.
Observations of animals in captivity have shown that females and males are engaged in raising offspring together. Males are actively involved in raising young. He gets food, protects the female and young from uninvited guests, plays with puppies and teaches them to hunt and get their own food. Young animals reach puberty by the age of one, but they start breeding only after two years of age.
Five red wolf cubs from the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (Tacoma, Washington) were born this spring and are now beginning to gradually get out of their den and explore the spacious enclosure.
However, wolf cubs do not go far and try to stay close to their mother, since they are still dairy and feed only on her milk.
Red american wolf(Canis lupus rufus) is the rarest representative of the wolf family. This species once inhabited much of the eastern United States, from Pennsylvania to Texas. However, in the XX century. due to extermination, habitat destruction and hybridization with coyotes, red wolves have been on the verge of extinction.
By the end of the 70s, red wolves had completely disappeared in the wild, surviving only in American zoos and special nurseries (only a subspecies of three - Canis rufus gregoryi, the other two Canis rufus rufus andCanis rufus floridanus completely extinct ).
From your closest relative gray wolf red wolves are smaller. The red wolf is slimmer, with longer legs and ears, and shorter fur. However, it is larger than a coyote: its body length is 100-130 cm, tail - 30-42 cm, height at the withers - 66-79 cm.
In nature, red wolves fed mainly on raccoons, rabbits and small rodents. Occasionally, if the flock is large, they could overwhelm a deer. The red wolf is listed in the international Red Book with the status "species in critical danger"(Critically endangered).
Titles: red wolf, red wolf.
area: At the beginning of the last century, the natural range of the red wolf was limited to the southeastern United States - from Florida to east-central Texas, including southeastern Tennessee, Alabama, most of Georgia and Florida and further north to south Illinois. At present, the species has been reintroduced only in North Carolina over an area of approximately 6000 km2.
Description: From their closest relative - the gray wolf, red wolves are smaller in size. The red wolf is slimmer, with longer legs and ears, and shorter fur. The annual molt occurs in summer. The red wolf is larger than the coyote.
Color: The color of the fur is red, brown, gray and black. The back is usually black. The muzzle and limbs are reddish, the end of the tail is black. The rufous coloration from which the species takes its name was predominant among the Texan populations. Red fur also dominates in winter.
The size: Body length is 100-130 cm, tail - 30-42 cm, height at withers - 66-79 cm.
The weight: Adult males weigh 20-40 kg, females are usually 1/3 lighter and weigh 18-30 kg.
Lifespan: In nature - 4 years; according to other sources - up to 13 years; in captivity, they lived up to 14-16 years.
Observations in areas of wolf reintroduction in 1993 showed that the survival of adult red wolves was about 50% after 3 years of their living in the wild.
Habitat: The species was apparently most numerous in the former vast forests along the banks of the rivers and swamps of the southeastern United States, characterized by growing in the upper layer of pine, and in the lower layer of evergreen shrubs. Initially, red wolves had a wide historical distribution, where they used a wide range of habitat types. They lived not only in the forests on the swampy lowlands, but also on the coastal prairies. Red wolves are now being repopulated in hard-to-reach mountainous and swampy areas.
Enemies: Red wolves can become victims of other wolves (gray wolves, coyotes), including relatives from other packs. Young animals can be preyed upon by large predators - alligators and bobcats.
Threats to the red wolf: loss of habitat due to human activity and illegal hunting, and competition and hybridization with coyote.
Food: In the past, the red wolf was able to take and eat any animal up to the size of a small deer. The food of the red wolf was mainly rodents (including nutrias and muskrats), as well as rabbits and raccoons; occasionally the pack managed to get pigs and white-tailed deer. In addition to the diet were insects and berries, as well as carrion.
Behavior: In terms of lifestyle, the red wolf is close to the common wolf. It is active at dusk and dawn, and during the winter, it may increase the time of its activity due to the day. Red wolves are very secretive and avoid people and places of his activity.
They hunt in packs. It has been established that a pack of red wolves, consisting of 11 different individuals, needs up to about 100 km 2 of territory in order to hunt and live normally. In one area, they usually hunt for about 7-10 days, and then move to another area.
Red wolves communicate with each other through a complex set of dynamic, tactile, chemical, and auditory (sound) signals. Body language, pheromones and vocalizations serve to convey information about the social and reproductive status of pack members and their mood. Social contact in a pack is often achieved through touch (tactile contact). Territory marking with scent marks is rarely used.
social structure: Red wolves are social animals that live in packs with a complex social organization similar to the gray wolf. Packs are primarily family groups that consist of a breeding pair (family) and its offspring, both young and grown, usually five to eight animals. Flocks of red wolves are smaller than those of gray wolves. Sometimes families get bigger. The size of the flock changes and forms depending on the abundance of food. The hierarchy of dominant and subordinate animals within a pack is designed to ensure that the pack functions as a cohesive unit. There are practically no manifestations of aggression in the family, however, family members are unfriendly towards unfamiliar wolves.
reproduction: Red wolves live in families in which only the dominant (alpha) pair breeds, which, like other wolves, is created for a long time, and often for life. The remaining members of the group participate in the protection and education of offspring and bring food to the nursing she-wolf.
Female dens are arranged in pits under fallen trees, in hollow trunks, in sandy slopes and along river banks. Sometimes dens are dug by the wolves themselves, and often they are occupied by ready-made dens dug by other animals.
Interbreeding of the red wolf with the coyote was noted, which was recognized as the most significant and harmful threat to the red wolf population in natural habitats. Coyote reduction efforts are being actively pursued to conserve the wild red wolf population in northeastern North Carolina.
Season/breeding period: February March.
Puberty: Rarely at 10 months, usually at 22 - 46 months.
Pregnancy: Lasts 60-63 days.
Offspring: In a litter, on average, 3-6 puppies (rarely - up to 12), which are born in the spring. Offspring are engaged in both parents and all members of the flock.
Lactation lasts up to 8-10 weeks. Puppies become independent at 6 months.
Benefit / harm to humans: Red wolves are important as top predators in the ecosystems in which they live. Red wolves eat a lot of rodents, so they help regulate their numbers.
Red wolves were previously thought to be a serious threat to livestock. However, in reality, this threat was greatly exaggerated, although they may sometimes kill local animals.
Population/conservation status : The red wolf is listed in the International Red Book as Critically Endangered.
Until the middle of the XX century. red wolves were exterminated for attacks on livestock and game (the accusations are greatly exaggerated). In 1967, the species was declared endangered (Endangered), and by 1980 the red wolf was considered extinct in nature, and in captivity by this time there were less than 20 individuals left, and then measures began to be taken to save it. In 1997, biologists already counted about 80 red wolves in two habitats. In addition, there were 160 animals living in captivity.
The entire current population of red wolves descended from 14 individuals kept in captivity. Now there are approximately 270 individuals in the world, 100 of which were released into the wild in North Carolina.
The red wolf is intermediate in many characteristics between gray wolves and coyotes.
Fossils discovered about 750,000 years old indicate that the red wolf may be the descendant of a relatively more primitive ancestor of the North American wolf, which existed here even before the advent of both the gray wolf and the coyote.
Traditionally, there were three subspecies of the red wolf, two of which have become extinct.
Canis rufus floridanus extinct by 1930 Canis rufus rufus declared extinct in 1970, Canis rufus gregoryi extinct in nature by 1980.
Gorna Island, located 8 miles off the coast of the Mississippi, serves as the main breeding ground for red wolves in captivity with a view to their further reintroduction into the wild.
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Canis lupus rufus Audubon&,
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The taxonomic status of the red wolf is debatable. It is considered either a subspecies of the gray wolf, or an independent species [ ] , or the product of the natural hybridization of the gray wolf and the coyote that has been going on for the past few thousand years .
The rarest member of the wolf family, the red wolf once inhabited much of the eastern United States, from Pennsylvania to Texas. However, in the 20th century, due to extermination and habitat destruction, red wolves were on the verge of extinction. Their range was first reduced to the extreme southwest of Louisiana and southeast Texas, and by the end of the 70s of the XX century, red wolves completely disappeared in nature, and only individuals remained in zoos and nurseries. Since 1988, work has been underway to return red wolves to their natural habitat - in the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee.
Appearance [ | ]
The evolution of wolves
Red wolf and coyote.
From their closest relative, the gray wolf, red wolves are smaller. The red wolf is slimmer, with longer legs and ears, and shorter fur. However, it is larger than a coyote: its body length is 100-130 cm, tail - 30-42 cm, height at the withers - 66-79 cm. Adult males weigh 20-41 kg, females, as a rule, are 1/3 lighter.
The color of the fur is red, brown, gray and black. The back is usually black. The muzzle and limbs are reddish, the end of the tail is black. The red coloration from which the species got its name was predominant among the Texan populations. Red fur also dominates in winter. The annual molt occurs in summer.
Lifestyle and nutrition[ | ]
In terms of lifestyle, the red wolf is close to the common wolf. Initially, they lived in forests, on swampy lowlands and on coastal prairies; were nocturnal. Red wolves are now being repopulated in hard-to-reach mountainous and swampy areas.
Packs of red wolves are smaller than those of gray wolves; they consist of a family (breeding) couple and their offspring, both young and grown. Sometimes families get bigger. There are practically no manifestations of aggression in the family, however, family members are unfriendly towards unfamiliar wolves.
The food of the red wolf is predominantly rodents (including nutrias and muskrats), rabbits and raccoons; occasionally a flock catches a deer. In addition to the diet are insects and berries, as well as carrion.
In turn, red wolves can become victims of other wolves, including relatives from other packs, alligators or cougars. Young animals are preyed upon by predators such as bobcats.
reproduction [ | ]
Red wolves live in families in which only dominant pairs breed. A pair, like other wolves, is created for a long time. The remaining members of the group help raise the offspring and bring food for lactating wolves.
The breeding season runs from January to March. Pregnancy lasts 60-63 days; in a litter, on average, 3-6 puppies (rarely - up to 12), which are born in the spring. Female dens are arranged in pits under fallen trees, in sandy slopes, along river banks. Both parents are engaged in offspring; puppies become independent at 6 months.
The average life expectancy of a red wolf in nature is 8 years; in captivity, they lived up to 14 years.
Population status[ | ]
The red wolf is listed in the international Red Book with the status of "species in critical danger" ( critically endangered).
Until the middle of the 20th century, red wolves were exterminated for attacks on livestock and poultry. In 1967, the species was declared endangered ( endangered) and began to take measures to save him. The entire current population of red wolves descended from 14 individuals kept in captivity. Now there are approximately 270 individuals left in the world, 100 of which were released into the wild in
Niramin - Sep 5th, 2015
Guara, aguarachai or maned wolf has an unusual appearance, more like a large, long-legged fox than a wolf. In Latin America, the maned wolf is the largest member of the canine family.
It has a short body - about 125-130 centimeters, has a height of 74-87 centimeters at the withers, an allowable weight of 20 to 23 kilograms, larger ones are very rare. Strongly large ears and a short tail emphasize the disproportion of the body. In its color, a maned wolf is more reminiscent of a mountain wolf or a fox - almost all of its fur is red, the tail is light, it becomes white towards the end, it has a light spot on its throat, black stockings on its legs, and a black stripe from the nape to the middle of the back, on where the coat is longer than in other areas. When a maned wolf is frightened or aggressive, the hair of the nape stands on end, visually adding volume to the animal, which is why the wolf got its name.
The maned wolf lives in South America, namely in Paraguay, eastern Bolivia, central, southern and southeastern Brazil. In other states, wolves are either extinct or are extremely rare.
Maned wolves rest during the day, and at night and at dusk there is a peak of activity. These are not flocking predators, life in pairs is possible at most, but even here it was not without oddities - the male and female sleep and hunt separately in the territory, which is marked with feces and droppings. Hunting occurs most often on small animals (insects, rodents, birds), but the maned wolf can also eat food of plant origin. These animals swallow food almost entirely, without chewing due to weak jaws.
But despite the great resemblance, maned wolves and foxes are not related at all.
We offer for viewing beautiful photos of a maned wolf from our gallery:
Maned wolf - young 
Photo: Maned wolf in a jump 
Video: Maned wolf
Video: Maned Wolf
Video: Maned Wolf
Video: Feeding the Maned Wolf — Nordens Ark