Ethiopian Wolf

Todd Sain Sr.

1 day ago

Source: https://tinyurl.com/yr5ewtnf Photo: Nik Borrow CCL: https://tinyurl.com/2dcehfvs

Ethiopian Wolf, Canis simensis — Source: https://tinyurl.com/yr5ewtnf Photo: Nik Borrow CCL: https://tinyurl.com/2dcehfvs

Ethiopian Wolf Facts

This beautiful and distinctive product of Nature and evolution most frequently goes by the informative common name of Ethiopian Wolf. It does have a few other general titles, though. These include such differing terms as the red jackal, Simien jackal or Simien fox.
Within the scientific community, however, it’s perhaps better known by its technical designation. Thankfully, that’s much simpler for the layperson to pronounce than many of its type. That’s because the remarkable mammal bears the formal appellation of Canis simensis.
This amazing animal received that epithet due to the efforts of Wilhelm Peter Eduard Simon Rüppell. The respected German naturalist recorded the first official recognition of it as a separate and distinct species. He achieved that scientifically noteworthy deed in the year 1840.
Regrettably, this marvelous example of fauna remains noted among researchers for several negative reasons. It presently ranks as one of the rarest canids on earth. The awesome creature also now represents the most endangered carnivore on the continent to which it evolved.
Due to the combination of these, the Ethiopian Wolf now finds itself in severe peril. That lamentable situation also seems to hold true throughout the entirety of its native range. Accordingly, the IUCN currently shows the mammal as Endangered on its Red List.
Its estimated population now stands at only 360 – 440 individuals. Given that, it faces numerous threats to its continued existence as a species. Like all forms of life on earth today, many of those stem from the actions of man. They include habitat loss and climate change.

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Source: https://tinyurl.com/4z2ze9x5 Photo: Brendan Ryan CCL: https://tinyurl.com/2s4apsss

Ethiopian Wolf Physical Description

The captivating Ethiopian Wolf rarely fails to to capture the attention of those fortunate enough to encounter the marvel. The canid typically does so, however, due more to its appearance than sheer size. That’s true since, in that respect, it ranks as a medium-sized member of its Family.

In that regard, it also follows a pattern common among its many kindred across the globe. That’s the fact that it displays a certain degree of the physiological characteristic of sexual dimorphism. In its case, this trait manifests itself with males generally being larger than their female counterparts.

That difference principally appears in terms of mass. Males attain an average body weight between 31 – 42 lb (14 – 19 kg). Females, though, only reach a mean weight of 24 – 31 lb (11 – 14 kg). The males therefore have a notably stockier, more robust build than that of the females of the species.

Otherwise, both genders present the same general appearance. An average body length equals roughly 33 – 39 in (84 – 100 cm). The animal’s tail, however, adds an additional 12 – 16 in (30 – 40 cm) to this. Its average height at the shoulder further measures between 21 – 24 in (53 – 62 cm).

Compared to other wolves, it evolved a slender, more fox-like face, It also has large, pointed ears that often display a black tip. The muzzle also grows longer and narrower than most of its kind. Almond-shaped eyes, typically yellowish-brown in color, serve to add to its distinctiveness.

The coat of the visually impressive Ethiopian Wolf also garners appreciation. This presents with a distinctive reddish-brown to rusty-colored coat with white markings on the underbelly, chest, throat, and inner parts of the legs. Its fur develops as short and dense, more so in cold weather.

Meanwhile, it also has long legs adapted for hunting in open, high-altitude terrain. The legs evolved as slender yet muscular, allowing for agility and speed. The tail typically presents as relatively bushy in nature. It’s also often tipped with black, and gets carried quite low when the wolf relaxes.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: C. simensis

Source: https://tinyurl.com/e4ur46d8 Photo: Laika ac CCL: https://tinyurl.com/yswn2ycv

Ethiopian Wolf Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Unfortunately, the magnificent Ethiopian Wolf evolved as indigenous to a very small portion of the earth’s surface. That zone of habitation’s also highly fragmented now, in terms of distribution of population. As its name implies, it only appears natively in one small and specific portion of Africa.

That, of course, represents what’s now the country of Ethiopia. Even within that already limited region, though, it only dwells in a precise portion of the area. That consists of the highlands section of the country. Yet, even there it resides only in widely scattered portions of the region.

The beautiful Bale Mountains in the southern part of the nation constitute its greatest stronghold. The Bale Mountains National Park holds the majority of the remaining wolves. A few other small populations in the immediate vicinity also reside on the Sanetti Plateau and Web Valley.

Another significant population resides in the Simien Mountains National Park, although this population remains much smaller and more fragmented than that in the Bale Mountains. A handful on groups also dwell in the Arsi Mountains, Menz Range, Gaysay grasslands, and Guassa-Menz.

Due to its range, it clearly displays very specific habitat requirements. It inhabits high-altitude ecosystems known as Afroalpine regions, unique to the Ethiopian highlands. These unique ecosystems usually form at elevations between 9,800 – 14,800 ft (3,000 – 4,500 m) above sea level.

Here, it largely prefers grasslands and heathlands. These areas remains characterized by open, grassy plains interspersed with patches of shrubs, particularly giant lobelia and everlasting flowers. The wolves prefer these expansive open habitats for hunting, as they rely on sight to locate prey.

It also often resides on large, flat plateaus covered in short grasses or tussocks, providing ample habitat for the species that make up the bulk of its diet. It also avoids steep, rocky areas, but sometimes use gentler slopes adjacent to valleys for resting or as routes between hunting grounds.

Other areas include subalpine heaths. These areas consist of sparse shrubs and often form at the edges of its habitat range, transitioning from grasslands to more barren and rocky alpine areas. Small bushes and ground cover plants are common here, and it roams this area while searching for food.

The incredible mammal also differs from most of its relatives in another manner. That’s its diet. While most of its kindred evolved as what might be called broad spectrum carnivores, this animal has an extremely specific diet. This highly specialized carnivore mainly hunts small animals.

Rodents, particularly the Ethiopian highland hare and giant mole-rats, proliferate in the Afroalpine grasslands. These constitute the bulk of its prey. Other small rodents, including rats, mice, and grass rats also serve. Though rare, it occasionally eats small birds or even scavenges from carcasses.

The Ethiopian Wolf lives in social packs, with a unique society. While highly territorial and living in groups of 3 to 13 individuals, it usually hunts alone. Pack cooperation typically remains much more focused on defense of territory from rival packs than on any efforts at cooperative hunting.

Breeding occurs between August and November, with pups born after a gestation period of about 60-63 days. Litters typically consist of 2-6 pups, and the pack works together to raise them. Impressively, non-breeding pack members guard and feed the pups, ensuring their survival.