Ethiopian Wolf: World's Rarest Wild Dog

By: EjazUlHaqBhat

Image: awf.org

The Ethiopian wolf is the world's rarest wild dog and one of the rarest carnivores in Africa

Image: awf.org

It is a slim, long-legged canid with a mainly russet coat, a white belly, chest and chin, and a dark, bushy tail

Image: awf.org

It resembles a coyote in size and shape. Its white-on-rusty-red markings become more defined with age and status

Image: awf.org

They are native to Ethiopia's highlands and are critically endangered

Image: awf.org

Males can weigh up to 19.3 kg, while females can weigh up to 14.2 kg

Image: facebook/bornfreefoundation

The Ethiopian wolf's diet consists mainly of rodents such as giant mole, grass, and brush-furred rats

Image: facebook/bornfreefoundation

It sexually matures at two years. Female gives birth to 2-6 pups between October-January after a 60-day gestation

Image: ethiopianwolf.org

The Ethiopian wolf typically lives for 7-9 years, and up to 12 years in captivity

Image: rainforesttrust.org

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