Dolichotis patagonum

(Zimmermann, 1780)

Vernacular names
English : Patagonian mara
French : Mara, Lièvre de Patagonie

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Rodentia
Family : Caviidae
Notes : 2 subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach a body length of 81 cm for a weight of 8.4 kg. Fairly long legs, big head and pointed ears. Fur is gray except on cheeks, neck, belly and breast where it’s rufous-beige. White area on rump. Tail-less.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in South America and is endemic to Argentina, found in the western, south-western and south parts of the country except extreme south. Lives in arid shrublands, steppes and sandy plains.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NEAR THREATENED
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species still has a large range and remains locally common but it’s declining because of competition with livestock, habitat loss and hunting.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

Back to “Rodents” page