Patagonian Mara

Dolichotis patagonum

The Patagonian mara is one of the largest rodents in the world, with an average weight of 8kg, but there are specimens weighing up to 16kg. It is a herbivorous species and eats mainly grasses and other herbs.

It is one of the largest endemic mammals of Argentina. It lives in semi-arid steppes and thorny bush deserts of western, central and southern Argentina. It has long, strong legs, similar to those of small artiodactyls (deer), which it uses to run at high speed when it feels threatened.

The gestation period of maras is 90 days and each litter can have between 1 and 5 offspring.

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It is the fastest rodent, being able to reach 45km/h.