Maned Wolf Maned wolves live in the middle parts of South America. Because summers are hot and steamy, the maned wolf usually sleeps during the day in the coolest place it can find -- in a thicket, on a rocky ledge, or in deep shade. It does most of its hunting at night. Although maned wolves are loyal mates (they may choose to mate for life), they aren't exactly inseparable. Unless it's the mating season, maned wolf mates avoid each other. They share a home range of about 15 square miles and defend it from other wolves, but they rarely see each other. Instead, they leave each other scent messages. With their exceptional sense of smell, the wolf can get a great deal of information about its mate from these messages -- if he or she is healthy, has hunted well recently, or is ready to mate. A female maned wolf gives birth in the winter. These are the more gentle months in central South America, without the long droughts and hot days of summer. Their winters are our summers, so they give birth in July or August. But the season is more important than the month. A captive maned wolf living in the northern hemisphere will still give birth in the winter, even though in this case, winter is now in January and February.

Very little is known about maned wolves because they are extremely shy of humans. One thing is certain, however -- maned wolves are an endangered species. Like most, this endangerment comes because they are running out of habitat. The swamps, forests, and marginal lands where the wolves once had plenty of room are now being developed for agriculture and construction. Their future is uncertain.

Body Language Wolves communicate in many different ways. Vocally, they bark, growl, yip, and grunt. Their powerful howls are effective for long distance communications. They leave -- and read -- scent messages. And they communicate with body language. The alpha wolf has a bold, upright stance. He carries his tail in a relaxed curve and he holds his head high. Underlings defer to him by holding their heads low and keeping their tails down. They crouch and wag their tails hopefully. They are subservient to him and show it even in their posture. It's very confrontational to look directly at the alpha, so his pack never faces him outright. Instead they glance shyly at the leader from the side.

The pack begs for attention from the leader by nipping gently at his muzzle. A lesser wolf will lie down before the alpha and roll over to expose its belly. This is a gesture of trust and loyalty, as the belly is the wolf's most vulnerable area. If the alpha is angered, he will crouch over the reclining offender, stare eye to eye, draw back the lips to show a mouthful of strong teeth, and utter a rumbling, terrifying growl. That's usually as much as it takes to keep the pack in line; wolves very rarely resort to actual violence within the group. This declaration of status by body language works not only for the alpha, but for all pack members. Each wolf can prove its authority over a lesser wolf, or subservience to a greater wolf, by body language.

Historic Range At one time, wolves were distributed over an immense part of the northern hemisphere. Certainly, wolves lived across most of the United States within the last two hundred years. (The only exception was in the Southeast, where the red wolf filled the gray wolf's niche in the environment.) Even today, there are still a few wolves left in the extreme Southwest and Mexico. (The Mexican wolf is a subspecies of the gray wolf, and is considered extremely endangered.) Today the gray wolf is found in a few northern states in very low numbers. Only Minnesota is home to enough gray wolves for them to be considered in the threatened category. ("Threatened" is one step safer than "endangered.")

Across our northern border into Canada, the wolves are in somewhat better shape. There, millions of acres of woodland and wilderness have offered a refuge for wolves. Wolves that are reintroduced to the United States are usually Canadian by birth. Some emigrate naturally, choosing to move south to find new home ranges.
Hybrids need experienced owners Although it is unusual for breeding to occur between species, three canids -- dogs, wolves, and coyotes -- seem to crossbreed rather freely. Unfortunately, it has become somewhat popular for these crossbreds to be kept as pets.

Since the Canis lupus is an endangered species, it is illegal to capture a wild wolf for any purpose. However, some folks established colonies of wolves before this status was granted, and they have used these animals to produce wolf hybrids. Most hybrids are crossbred on large breeds of dogs, especially German Shepherd, Chow, Akita, and Alaskan Malamute, and they often combine the worst characteristics of the wolf and the dog breed.

Click on the blue text to hear a wolf howl:howl

The wolf is basically a shy animal, instilled with a fierce need to fit into a pack hierarchy and depending on nuances in body language and facial expression and on hunting skill to survive. A stare is considered a direct challenge and can bring an attack if the animal cannot flee. Wolf jaws are much stronger than those of a dog and are often used to exert dominance. The breeds of dog frequently used to produce the hybrid tend to be dominant, fairly independent, and even aloof. They are difficult to train for inexperienced owners and can be aggressive to other dogs and dangerous to cats and other small mammals. The combination of wolf temperament and breed characters can be dangerous.

Although the lure to own an exotic pet is strong, families who would like a wolf-like animal that is good with children should opt for a well-tempered German Shepherd, a Keeshond, or a Samoyed. More experienced dog owners might consider a Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, Chow, or Akita. Only those folks who have previously trained a tough northern breed of dog should even consider a hybrid. A wolf hybrid should never be left alone with small children, for children stare, scream, and move quickly. Stares are challenges, and the baby will lose every time. Screams, cries, and quick movements are prey characteristics, and the hybrid may consider the child fair game.