About
The Patagonian mara (Dolichotis patagonum) is a large caviid native to lowlands and plains of Argentina, including monte scrub and shrublands. Body length is 61–81 cm; the tail is short and the legs are long, giving a build adapted for running. It is mainly herbivorous, with grasses comprising about 70% of its diet, but it also eats cacti, fruits, and seeds. Diurnal and forming monogamous pairs, maras have large activity ranges and typically move about 1 hectare per day. In the southern part of their range breeding is concentrated from August to January; gestation lasts about 91–111 days and females commonly give birth to 1–3 young. Populations are declining, and the IUCN lists the species as Near Threatened.
