Patagonian Mara
Dolichotis patagonum
IUCN red list status:
Near Threatened
For more information, please visit iucnredlist.org
Patagonian Maras live in Argentina, including large parts of Patagonia. They occupy sandy scrubland, forests and open plains.
Patagonian Maras are herbivorous, feeding mainly on grasses
Usually, females have 1 or 2 youngsters once a year after a gestation period of 100 days. They can live up to 14 years in captivity.
Maras are active during the day, they live in groups from 1 to 22. They their days grazing and keeping a look out for predators.
Patagonian Mara
About the Patagonian Mara
Patagonian mara are the third largest rodents in the world. They have grey-brown fur and long, powerful rear legs. These legs make the Patagonian mara well adapted for running across their grassland habitat. They have several different ways of moving; from a slow rabbit-like hop to a high speed bouncing run.
Their front legs are shorter, with four sharp claws that help the species to dig burrows. They are able to reach speeds of 45km per hour. The Patagonian mara prefers to eat grasses and herbs, but will eat other vegetation if grass is not available. Maras travel in mated pairs, which remain together for life.
Did you know?
One of the ways Mara communicate is by weeing on each other!
