Specie's Page                                               South America - Mara

Mara:  

UK Status: Non resident, but can be seen in zoo's and wildlife parks.

Habitat: This large rodent is also known as the Patagonian Cavy, and as the Patagonian Hare. Understandably the names come from its appearance, it has a rather rabbit, or hare like in appearance. These creatures reside only in Argentina, preferring lowland scrub and forest with a sandy soil. They are for the most part herbivores, although eating many types of plant materials, their main food source is grass.

Breeding: This rodent breeds mainly in September and October, after the winter rains, and before the dry season. Dens are dug into the soill for females to raise their litter, which usually consist of two pups, In the wild there is usually only one litter per female, but in captivity there can be as many as four in a year.

Comment: These Mara's are allowed to freely roam around the grounds of the Amazona Zoo, and are quite used to a human presence. Its possible to get within a few feet of them.