Dolichotis patagonum
Patagonian Hare - Mara
Cavies are large, diurnal rodents. Their closest relative is the guinea pig, but they resemble hares and some say they look like miniature antelope. Up to 2 ½ feet in length, their weight range is 15 - 20 lbs. (Though some sources say they can weigh up to 35 lbs) Fur is gray or brown, with lighter brown to white on the underparts and white on the rump, similar to the rump patches of many deer and antelope. They have long legs and large ears. The Mara's hind feet have three toes, each with a large hoof-like claw and the front feet have 4 toes with sharp claws for digging.
Patagonian cavies travel in mated pairs and the male always follows the female, on guard for rival males and predators. Very little territorality is evident, but males appear to have a dominance hierarchy. Patagonian cavies move in a variety of ways. They may walk normally, hop in a rabbit-like fashion, gallop, or bounce on all fours (for long distance, high speed travel). These cavies have been clocked at speeds of 45 km/hr for more than 1000 meters. Cavies also vocalize with grunts, grumbles, and screams. A large part of the day is spent basking in the sun.
Gender differences:
Similar in appearance.
Habitat:
Arid grasslands and brush with open space in Patagonia in Argentina
Diet:
Grazing animals which eat primarily grasses and other plants
Reproduction:
Cavies breed from August to November, springtime in the southern hemisphere. At the beginning of the breeding season, they gather in groups around a system of burrows. Gestation is 80 - 90 days. Females give birth to 1-3 young (usually 2) outside of a burrow entrance. The young are born completely furred, with their eyes and ears open. They can walk within minutes, and they enter a communal burrow on their own. Up to 15 cavy pairs may share the den. Adult pairs travel, intermittently, to the den to nurse their young and do not tolerate other pairs when nursing. The males drive off other parents. Using scent to locate her young, the female drives off offspring other than her own. For their first four months, the young stay in the burrow, coming out only to nurse or to graze on grass. By 2 - 3 months of age they are weaned and are mature when they are about 8 months old. Most live 10 years or less, but they can live up to 14 years in captivity.
Other:
The Patagonian Cavy can run up to 18 or 35 or 50 miles per hour depending on which source material you read and is able to leap up to 6 feet. In the open grasslands, they rely on speed to escape from predators.
They form life-long pair bonds, but travel seasonally in large groups of up to 35 pairs. Each male in the group defends his mate and the territory around her.
Maras are declining because of competition with the European hare, which has been introduced to Argentina. The hares eat the same type of food as the cavies, and can reproduce much faster.
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