The
African golden wolf (
Canis anthus), also known as the
African wolf or
thoa, is a
canid native to
north and
northeastern Africa. The species is common in
north-
west and north-
east Africa, occurring from
Senegal to
Egypt in the east, in a range including
Morocco,
Algeria, and
Libya in the north to
Nigeria,
Chad and
Tanzania in the south. It is a desert-adapted canid, and is common in plains and steppe areas, including ones lacking abundant water. In the
Atlas Mountains, the species has been sighted in elevations as high as 1,800 metres. It is primarily a predator, targeting
invertebrates and
mammals as large as
gazelle fawns, though larger animals are sometimes taken. Other foodstuffs include animal carcasses, human refuse, and fruit. The African wolf is a monogamous and territorial animal, whose social structure includes yearling offspring remaining with the family to assist in raising their parents' younger pups.