Mara (mammal)

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For other uses, see Mara.

Mara
Fossil range: Pleistocene - Recent

A male mara

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Rodentia
Family:	Caviidae
Subfamily:	Dolichotinae Pocock, 1922
Genus:	Dolichotis Desmarest, 1820

Species

D. patagonum, Patagonian Mara
D. salinicola, Chacoan Mara

The maras (Dolichotis) are a genus of the cavy family. They are the sole representatives of the subfamily Dolichotinae. These large relatives of guinea pigs are common in the Patagonian steppes of Argentina but live in other areas of South America as well such as Paraguay. Maras are the third largest rodent in the world, after capybaras and beavers, reaching about 45 cm (18 in) in height.

There are two species of maras recognised, the Patagonian Mara (Dolichotis patagonum), and the Chacoan Mara (Dolichotis salinicola). They are know as the pampas hare.

Patagonian Maras are often kept in zoos or as pets and is also known as "Patagonian cavy" or "Patagonian hare". They can be quite social with humans if raised with human interaction from a young age, though in the wild they avoid humans. Maras may even change their habits from coming out in day to becoming nocturnal, simply to avoid social interaction.

Maras mate for life, and may have from 1 to 3 offspring each year. Mara babies are very well developed, and can start grazing within 24 hours.

1 Physical description & movement
2 Gallery
3 Further reading & references
4 See also

[edit] Physical description & movement

Maras have stocky bodies, three sharp-clawed digits on the hind feet, and four digits of the forefeet. Maras have been described as resembling long-legged rabbits. Patagonian Maras can run at speeds up to 29 km (18 mi) per hour. Maras can weigh over 11 kg (25 lb) in adulthood.

Most Maras have a brown head and body, a dark almost black rump with a white fringe around the base, and a white belly.

Maras may walk normally, hop in a rabbit-like fashion, gallop, or bounce on all fours. They have been known to leap up to six feet (about 2 meters).