How big is a maned wolf?
The maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) is the tallest wild canid in the world and the largest in South America. It stands up to about 110 cm (roughly 43 inches, or 3.5 feet) at the shoulder, with a head-and-body length near 100 cm and a tail adding around another 45 cm. Yet for all that height it is remarkably light, weighing just 20–30 kg (44–66 lb).
Taller than a grey wolf, lighter than you would think
That combination is what makes its size so striking. A grey wolf can outweigh a maned wolf several times over, but the maned wolf usually stands taller at the shoulder. The illusion of bulk is mostly leg: its slender black limbs are exceptionally long relative to its body, giving it the silhouette that earned the nickname 'fox on stilts.'
Why is it so leggy?
Those legs are not decoration. The Cerrado — the tropical savanna of central South America where the species lives — is dominated by tall grasses that can hide prey and obscure sightlines. Long legs raise the wolf's eyes and ears above the grass and let it cover ground efficiently as it patrols a large territory. The height is a habitat adaptation, not a sign of power: the maned wolf is built for spotting and stalking small prey, not for overpowering large game.
How its measurements compare
- Shoulder height: up to ~110 cm (43 in) — the tallest of any wild dog.
- Weight: 20–30 kg (44–66 lb), similar to a medium-large domestic dog.
- Body length: ~100 cm head-and-body, plus a ~45 cm tail.
- Build: light and long-limbed, adapted for grassland, not for chasing big prey.
Does big mean dangerous?
No. For all its height, the maned wolf is shy, solitary and harmless to people. It is not a threat to humans and avoids contact, feeding largely on fruit and small animals rather than livestock-sized prey.
For a full breakdown of its biology, range and conservation status, see our maned wolf species guide. Brazil holds most of the world's population and is one of the countries where our partner-funded teams operate — you can support that work through our habitat protection appeal.
Read the full Maned wolf wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.
