Patagonian Mara

The Patagonian mara (Dolichotis patagonum) is a large rodent from Argentina that looks a bit like a cross between a rabbit and a small deer. It is also called the Patagonian cavy or Patagonian hare, though it is not a hare at all. Maras are close relatives of guinea pigs and capybaras.

Scientific Classification & Quick Facts

Common name	Patagonian mara
Scientific name	Dolichotis patagonum
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Rodentia
Family	Caviidae
Genus	Dolichotis
Conservation status	Near Threatened
Type	Large hare-like rodent (cavy family)
Diet	Herbivore: grasses and herbs
Habitat	Open shrubland, steppe and Monte Desert
Native range	Argentina (Patagonia)
Size	Head and body 60-75 cm
Weight	8-16 kg (18-35 lb)
Special feature	Pairs mate for life

What Maras Look Like

Maras are among the largest rodents in the world. Adults usually weigh about 8 to 16 kg (18 to 35 pounds) and are about 70 to 75 cm (around 2.5 feet) long, with a very short tail.

At first glance a mara looks like a big rabbit, with long ears and long legs. But its legs are thin, like a deer’s, and its back legs are longer and stronger than its front legs. The front feet have four toes, while the back feet have three toes with hoof-like claws.

The fur is grayish-brown on the back, with a white patch on the rump and a white belly. Maras are built for speed. They can walk, hop like rabbits, gallop, and even bounce on all four feet at once. They can reach speeds of about 45 km/h (28 mph) to escape predators.

Where They Live

Maras are found only in Argentina, in the central and southern parts of the country, including Patagonia. They live in open grasslands and dry scrubland, where they can spot danger from far away. They like places with some bushes for shelter but also graze in open, sparse areas, including land that has been heavily grazed by farm animals.

Maras are mostly active during the day. Because of habitat loss, hunting and competition with introduced European hares, their numbers have dropped, and they are listed as Near Threatened.

Behavior

Maras are famous for their loyal partnerships. A male and female usually pair up for life and stay close together. The male follows the female wherever she goes, keeping watch and chasing away other males. If one partner dies, the other may find a new mate.

Pairs usually live on their own, but during the breeding season many pairs share a communal den. This makes maras unusual among mammals.

Breeding

A female mara usually gives birth to one to three babies after a pregnancy of about three and a half months. In good conditions, she can have several litters a year.

The babies are born above ground near the entrance of a burrow, then crawl into a shared den that can hold the young of many different pairs. It works like a nursery. Parents come back to the den to feed their own young, and the babies stay near the burrow for safety.

Baby maras are very well developed at birth. They are born with fur and open eyes and can start nibbling plants within a day.

Diet

Maras are herbivores. In the wild they mostly eat grasses and herbs, and when these are scarce they also eat other plants, including cacti and shrubs. They get much of the water they need from their food.

Can Maras Be Kept as Pets?

Maras are kept in zoos, wildlife parks and sometimes by experienced exotic animal keepers. They are calm, quiet animals, but they are not good pets for most families. They need a lot of space to run, and they are social, so they should never be kept alone. In many places, special permits are needed, so always check local laws first.

Housing

Maras need a large, secure outdoor enclosure with grass for grazing. Adults handle cool weather well, but they must have a dry, draft-free shelter for cold or wet weather and shade during hot days. They also like having somewhere to hide.

Food

In captivity, maras eat mostly grass and good-quality hay, such as timothy hay, along with pellets made for grazing herbivores and some fresh vegetables. Fresh water should always be available. A vet who treats exotic animals can advise on the right diet.

Handling

Maras raised around people from a young age can become quite tame and may take food from a keeper’s hand. Maras that are not used to people are nervous and will run away, and they do not like being picked up. Like many prey animals, they are best enjoyed by watching them quietly.

Patagonian mara FAQs