The Maned Wolf is found in central and southern Brazil, Paraguay, Northern Argentina, eastern Bolivia and southeastern Peru. The habitat is grassland and scrub forests of these regions. The Maned Wolf's activities are nocturnal and crepuscular (confined to night time and twilight hours). The Maned Wolf differs from the Gray Wolf in that the Maned Wolf is an omnivore (eats both meat and vegetable products). The typical diet of a Maned Wolf may contain birds, reptiles and small mammals along with fruits and vegetables. Vegetable matter often makes up to 50% of the Maned Wolf's diet. In captivity at the Zoo the wolves are fed Science Diet dog food and either mice or rats every day. Bones are given to them once a week, along with a variety of fruits and vegetables as treats throughout the week.

In their natural habitat breeding season begins in April and the mother gives birth in August or September. In the Northern Hemisphere the mother may give birth in December, January or February, with a litter of two to five pups. The father plays a large role in rearing the pups along with the mother. Currently there are believed to be fewer than 2300 Maned Wolves in existence, a fact which has led to their being placed on the endangered species list. The decline in the species is attributed largely to the degradation of the wolves' natural habitat and destruction of individual wolves by humans. The Species Survival Program (SSP) currently contains 85 Maned Wolves, many of which are being bred to increase the number of the species. The Little Rock Zoo is participating in this program with full SSP approval, and has recently placed a pair of breeding age together. This pair consists of Drake, a five year old male who came to the Zoo in 1994, and Paddy, a five year old female who came to the Zoo in 1998. The happy couple gave birth to a male pup in March and he is doing great. Zoo visitors may view the happy family in their new exhibit.