It is monogamous, but often breeds in warrens shared by several pairs. Patagonian Cavy (Patagonian Mara) Dolichotis patagonum. With the unique features (Such as looking like a cross between a guinea pig, rabbit, kangaroo and a dog) and excellent temperament, it is no surprise that people are choosing these pets for their homes. The larger northern steppe zone extends south to about latitude 46° S. The maras are a genus (Dolichotis) of the cavy family of rodents. [5] The mara skins have been used for bedspreads and rugs.[5]. This is a very basic video talking about some basic care for the Patagonian Cavy / Mara (DOLICHOTIS PATAGONUM). They also produce a series of short grunts when grooming. The Patagonian Cavy is probably one of the sweetest most gentle of pets you will find. Unlike most other cavids, such as guinea pigs and capybaras, the anal glands of the mara are between the anus and the base of the tail rather than being anterior to the anus. [13] Scent marking is used by maras for complex and intense social interactions. [7] Preferred grass species eaten are those of the genera Chloris, Pappophorum, and Trichloris, while dicots that are eaten include Atriplex lampa, Lycium spp., and Prosopis spp. They are not rabbits! Jun 24, 2016 - Explore Lindsay Beth's board "Capybaras & Patagonian Cavies" on Pinterest. Class: Mammalia Order: Rodentia Family: Caviidae. Patagonian Maras ( also commonly called Patagonian Cavies ) are the 4th largest rodents in the world behind the Capybara, Beaver, and Porcupine. At first glance, this animal looks like a small deer with long ears, similar to these of a hare. Maras make a number of vocalizations during grazing or slow locomotion. Campos. [10][11] Mothers do not actively cooperate in raising their young. [12] One or two pups are nursed at a time by a female. Dolichotis patagonum. The Patagonian cavy, also known as the Patagonian mara, is a large-sized relative of the guinea pig species. The Patagonian mara (Dolichotis patagonum) is a relatively large rodent in the mara genus Dolichotis. Lifespan: About 14 years in captivity Patagonian Cavies These large, herbivorous, rodents are distant relatives to guinea pigs (cavies) and somewhat resemble a cross between a … Gestation lasts around 100 days, with the female typically giving birth to one to three babies. Its hind limbs are longer and more muscular than its fore limbs and it has a longer radius than humerus. There are two members of the genus Dolichotis: the Patagonian cavy or mara, and the much lesser known rabbit-sized Chacoan mara (or dwarf cavy). [14], Patagonian maras are considered to be a near threatened species. It weighs 8–16 kg (18–35 lb). It is darker toward the rump, with the exception of a bright white patch of hair that borders their hindquarters. 7-10 yrs. [5] In addition, a male stands on his hind legs and urinates on a female's rump, to which the female responds by spraying a jet of urine backwards into the face of the male. [11] Young can walk almost immediately postpartum.[5]. Young are weaned after 13 weeks. Traditionally, the Caviidae has been subdivided into two subfamilies, with Galea, Cavia, Microcavia, and Kerodon placed in the subfamily Caviinae and Dolichotis and Pediolagus in the subfamily Dolichotinae. TABER AB (1987) "The Behavioural Ecology of the Mara". They have small, compressed feet that make them resemble hooves from a distance and longer ears resembling those of a rabbit. "Diet of the mara (Dolichotis patagonum), food availability and effects of an extended drought in Northern Patagonia (Mendoza, Argentina)". Es­trus oc­curs once every 3 or 4 months and lasts only about half an hour. What’s up, doc? The fore feet have four digits while the hind feet have three digits. [8] Litters from one to 22 pairs are grouped together in these dens. M. B. [9] Light, precipitation, and temperate have positive effects on annual activities, while darkness and relative humidity have negative effects. ( mine are all between 15-20lbs ) In the wild Maras are monogamous and mate for life. They live communally, sharing these burrows with up to 20 breeding pairs. The Patagonian cavy's dental formula is I 1/1, c 0/0, p 1/1, m 3/3, and the teeth are hypsodont, continuously growing throughout life in response to constant wear on the grinding surfaces. Patagonian Cavy Habitat: Lowland habitats, including forest and creosote bush flats in Argentina Size: 2 ½ feet long, 2 feet tall; weigh up to 35 pounds Life Span:5-12 years Diet: grasses, herbs and plants Reproduction:1-3 young after a 3 month gestation period Did You Know? They prefer to live in habitats with shrub cover, but they also inhabit overgrazed and barren soils in the Monte Desert biome. They also work to breed and maintain healthy populations. If conservation efforts are not made, the Patagonian cavy will become a threatened species. A native of Argentina, the species has near-threatened status. "The function and motivational basis of hystricomorph vocalizations". Explore one of the largest Mammal Longevity Databases in the World. Rarely, a few fe­… The Patagonian cavy, also called the Patagonian mara or Patagonian hare, is a large rodent species that can be found in central and southern Argentina. Despite their rabbit-like appearance. The daily activity of maras is unimodal in winter and biomodal in other seasons. Their coat is stiff, dense and very fine in texture. The cavy is a highly social animal and are not a pet for a person that must be gone much of the time. It is also known as the Patagonian cavy, Patagonian hare, or dillaby. IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) 2008. [15] Nevertheless, maras have been greatly affected by hunting and habitat alteration and have been extirpated in some areas, including Buenos Aires Province. A cavy is 17-31 inches in length and weigh from 20 to 35 pounds. 75 (5): 389–398. They are not rabbits! Patagonian cavies live in burrows they dig in the ground. J. P. (1972) Ecological and behavioral comparisons of three genera of Argentine cavies, Animal Behavior Monographs 5:1-83. https://web.archive.org/web/20120905133613/http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/SmallMammals/fact-mara.cfm, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Patagonian_mara&oldid=981327678, Taxa named by Eberhard August Wilhelm von Zimmermann, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 1 October 2020, at 17:09. [5] The feet are compressed, making them hoof-like. The Patagonian Mara, also known as a Patagonian Cavy, is the fourth largest rodent in the world behind the Capybara, Beaver and Porcupine. Here are a few of the animals that call the Erie Zoo home. They are known as the Patagonian cavy, Patagonian hare, or dillaby. A Patagonian Cavy is an unusual pet to own; however, they are becoming more popular all over the world. Males spend most of the day sitting, being vigilant for predators. The family Caviidae first appears in the fossil record during the middle Miocene of South America. Patagonia - Patagonia - Plant life: The long, narrow strip of Patagonia’s western border supports vegetation like that found in the adjacent cordillera, primarily deciduous and coniferous forests. The Patagonian cavy, also called the Patagonian mara or Patagonian hare, is a large rodent species that can be found in central and southern Argentina. (1984) "Scent dispersing papillae and associated behaviour in the mara. Females care for thir young in a communal environmnt with several other breeding pairs and their offspring. (You can unsubscribe anytime), © Copyright 2017, Potter Park Zoo | 1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave, Lansing, MI 48912, Accredited By The Association of Zoos & Aquariums. Eisenberg, J. F. (1974). Patagonian cavies have litters of 2-3. In the Monte Desert, monocots make up 70% of their diet, while dicots make up 30%. Why? [10] Maras breed, at least in southern Argentina, from August to January. It is also known as the Patagonian cavy, Patagonian hare, or dillaby. 45 km/h. ORIGIN: Argentina . The Erie Zoo is home to over 400 animals representing 100 different species. These unusual animals are … Fe­males in cap­tiv­ity often con­ceive shortly after par­tu­ri­tion and can give birth to 3 or 4 lit­ters per year, how­ever, in the wild only one lit­ter per year is pro­duced. TABER, B. E., AND D. W. MACDONALD. Lifespan: up to 14 years in captivity, unknown in the wild. Maras prefer sandy and low shrub habitat in Valdes Peninsula. What is the conservation status of the Patagonian cavy? It uses this speed to evade predators, such as foxes and carnivorous birds. They feed primarily on green vegetation and fruit. It is monogamous, but often breeds in warrens shared by several pairs. Captive Husbandry links needed! The Patagonian mara (otherwise known as Patagonian cavy or hare) is a large rodent with a rather strange appearance. Taber, A. The Patagonian cavy population has been steadily declining at an alarming rate. [8] A female may sometimes nurse a young from another pair. In the den, each mother cavy is solely responsible for feeding and caring for her young. It is monogamous, but often breeds in warrens shared by several pairs. C. M., Tognelli. Smythe. Their longer ears resemble a rabbit, and their small compressed feet can look like hooves from a distance. The Patagonian Cavy, is a part of the Mara genus, and is also known as the Patagonian mara, Patagonian hare, or dillaby. This little piggy… isn’t a pig at all! The Patagonian mara (Dolichotis patagonum) is a relatively large rodent in the mara genus Dolichotis. M. F., Ojeda. Its tail is short, depressed, and hairless. [11] The male has almost the sole responsibility in maintaining the pair by following the female wherever she goes. [8] Females produce one litter each year in the wild,[8] but can produce as many as four litters a year in captivity. The Patagonian mara, also known as the Patagonian hare or cavy, is a large rodent species that is often said to look like a cross between a rabbit and a deer, or other hoofed animal. D. Thesis, Belliol College, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom. The Patagonian cavy is a herbivorous, somewhat rabbit-like animal found in open and semi-open habitats in Argentina, including large parts of Patagonia. (1995) "Temporal activity of the mara (Dolichotis patagonum) in the Monte Desert, Argentina". Lit­ters range in size from 1 to 3 pups, with av­er­age lit­ters con­tain­ing 2. Cavys are native to central and south Argentina. Zoos help educate about Patagonian cavies and their important role in the ecosystem. This herbivorous, somewhat rabbit-like animal is found in open and semiopen habitats in Argentina, including large parts of Patagonia. [5], Patagonian maras are found only in Argentina, from 28 to 50°S. PLEASE LIKE and SHARE. Active during the day, this species spends long periods basking in the sun, either resting on its haunches or with its front limbs folded under its body like a cat. [8] Maras are also hosts for parasites such as the nematode worm Wellcomia dolichotis. [5] The average Patagonian mara has a head and body length of 69–75 cm (27–30 in) with a tail of 4–5 cm (1.6–2.0 in). LENGTH. Adults typically weigh 15 to 30 pounds, but this can rise to 35 pounds. Patagonian Cavy Dolichotis patagonum. While a female may prevent young other than her own from nursing her, some young are able to steal milk. 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