Did you know that one of the world’s largest rodents looks like a rabbit, but runs like a deer? The Patagonian mara is the second-largest rodent on Earth, just behind the capybara.
These amazing animals are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. They spend their time grazing on grasses, basking in the sun, and exploring their surroundings. Native to Argentina’s Patagonia and Pampas regions, they prefer open spaces where they can easily find food.
Want to learn more about the wildlife of Patagonia? Keep reading to discover new animal facts.
What Does a Patagonian Mara Look Like?
The Patagonian mara is an adorable and unique animal. It almost looks like a mix of several creatures.
It has long, pointed ears like a kangaroo and a tiny pony-like face with a blunt nose, long whiskers, and big, dark eyes rimmed in black. Its slender legs look like those of a gazelle, and from a distance, its compact feet resemble hooves. But don’t be fooled—its front feet have strong claws, which it can use for defense.
The Patagonian mara’s body is covered in short, dense fur. Its coat is mostly grayish-brown, with a dark patch on its rump. The area near its short, hairless tail is bright white, and the white extends under its belly and chest. It also has reddish-orange markings around its head and flanks, making it even more striking.
This rodent looks like a mix of different animals, making it one of the most unusual and adorable creatures in the wild.
Size and Weight of the Patagonian Mara
Patagonian maras are medium-sized rodents that grow 27 to 30 inches long. They have a short tail, measuring 1.5 to 2 inches. Their weight ranges from 18 to 35 pounds, making them one of the largest rodents in the world.
Where Do Patagonian Maras Live?
Patagonian maras are only found in Argentina, mainly in central and southern regions. They live in open grasslands, shrublands, and dry plains, where they have plenty of space to roam. They are also found in forests and creosote bush areas in northwestern Argentina and prefer sandy, low-shrub habitats in the Valdés Peninsula.
Their home range can be as large as 242 acres (98 hectares), but it depends on how much food is available. Maras have adapted to life in open areas and move in different ways. They can walk, hop like a rabbit, gallop, or “stot”—a special kind of bouncing on all fours, like some hoofed animals do.
How Do Patagonian Maras Behave?
Patagonian maras live in open areas, which helps them spot predators before danger gets too close. Their long, strong legs let them run fast to escape threats. They usually stay within half a square mile, but this can change depending on how much food is around. Since food can be scarce, maras mark their territory wherever they go. Males spray urine on their mates and leave scent marks with feces and special secretions to claim their space.
Maras usually travel in pairs, moving by hopping, walking, running, or “stotting” (bouncing on all fours like some hoofed animals). They are most active during the day, spending about half their time eating. Sometimes, they also look for food at night. When they’re not eating, they enjoy basking in the sun or caring for their young.
When grazing, one mara keeps watch for predators while the other eats, then they switch roles. If food is hard to find, they gather in larger groups. Maras communicate using sounds to talk to each other and warn about danger.
If threatened by a predator or a rival, males fight fiercely to protect themselves and their mates. They use the claws on their strong front legs, but even though they have large teeth, they rarely bite.
What Do Patagonian Maras Eat?
Patagonian maras are herbivores, which means they only eat plants. Their main food is grass and other low-growing plants. Sometimes, they also eat fruits, seeds, flowers, and even cactus.
To get the most nutrients from their food, maras do something called coprophagia. This means they eat their own feces, just like some other plant-eating animals. While it might sound strange, this helps them digest their food better and get more energy from it.
Reproduction and Baby Maras
Patagonian maras stay with one mate for life. They have a unique way of breeding. The female is only able to mate three to four times a year, and each time, she is fertile for just 30 minutes.
After mating, the gestation period lasts around 100 days. The female usually gives birth to one to three babies. In the wild, most maras have one litter per year, but maras in human care can have up to four litters a year.
Baby maras are born fully developed with their eyes open. Even though they are born out in the open, they are quickly moved into a shared burrow. This burrow can be home to up to 15 mara families and their babies.
Even though many young maras live in the burrow, each mother can recognize her own baby by its size, scent, and sound. Sometimes, baby maras try to steal milk from other mothers, but they are often chased away.
The mother takes care of the babies by feeding and nursing them. Meanwhile, the father stands guard, protecting the burrow from danger. Baby maras nurse for about 75 days, which is much longer than most rodents, before they are fully weaned.
Incredible Facts About the Patagonian Mara:
- Patagonian maras look both strange and cute with their big eyes and long whiskers.
- They travel in pairs or larger groups and always watch out for one another.
- To get more nutrients from their food, they eat their own poop.
- Maras spray urine to mark their territory and even mark each other.
- They can run up to 25 miles per hour and jump high. They also use their strong legs to fight when needed.
- Even though they are large rodents, they are actually related to guinea pigs.
Conclusion:
The Patagonian mara is a truly special animal. With its fast speed, strong legs, and unique way of living, it has adapted well to life in the wild. But even with these skills, maras are in danger. Their homes are being destroyed, and they face threats from hunting and other animals.
Every animal plays an important role in nature, and the Patagonian mara is no exception. By caring for the environment and spreading awareness, we can help these amazing creatures survive for many years to come.