The Patagonian mara (\(Dolichotis\) \(patagonum\)) is a large rodent native to Argentina, often described as a cross between a rabbit and a small antelope. It is the second-largest member of the rodent order, surpassed only by the capybara. Its appearance, characterized by long, slender limbs and large upright ears, is a result of adaptations to its open environment.
Defining Features and Classification
The Patagonian mara belongs to the Order Rodentia and the Family Caviidae, placing it in the same group as guinea pigs and the capybara. Weighing between 18 and 35 pounds and reaching up to 30 inches in length, it is a formidable size for a rodent. Its classification highlights an unusual morphology, having evolved for rapid movement on open terrain.
The mara possesses long, powerful hind limbs that are noticeably longer than its forelimbs, giving it a deer-like profile. Its limbs are adapted for cursorial locomotion, meaning it is built for running and can reach speeds up to 28 miles per hour. The feet are compressed and possess strong claws, functioning almost like small hooves.
Its coat is a dense grayish-brown, providing camouflage against the Patagonian scrubland. The mara has a short, nearly hairless tail and large, rabbit-like ears that enhance its ability to detect predators. A white patch on the rump is separated from the dorsal fur by a distinct black band, which serves as a visual signal.
Habitat and Geographical Range
This species is endemic to Argentina, spanning the central and southern regions. Its geographical range includes the Patagonian steppes, the Monte Desert, and the Pampas grasslands. The mara is well-suited to arid and semi-arid environments, thriving in open habitats with low vegetation.
It prefers dry scrublands and grasslands where open space allows for clear sightlines to watch for danger. It requires room to run and evade predators. While it uses areas near thorny shrubs for cover, the mara avoids densely vegetated habitats where its speed and visibility would be compromised.
Behavior and Social Structure
Patagonian maras are diurnal, active primarily during the day for foraging and movement. They exhibit an unusual social structure centered on a strictly monogamous mating system. Pairs form lifelong bonds, with the male remaining physically close to the female and aggressively defending her from rivals.
This defense creates a mobile territory, as the male follows his mate, marking her and the surrounding area with secretions. The most complex aspect of their social life is the communal creche system used for raising young. Multiple pairs, sometimes up to 29, share a single, large burrow complex where all the pups are deposited.
While the young are kept in this shared nursery, parental care is not cooperative; females only nurse their own offspring. Adults take turns visiting the den for brief periods to feed their young, with one or two remaining nearby to act as sentries. This communal denning increases the survival rate by ensuring constant vigilance against predators.
Diet and Conservation Status
The Patagonian mara is a specialized herbivore and grazer, with grasses and green vegetation making up the bulk of its diet. To maximize nutrient extraction from its fibrous diet, the mara engages in coprophagy, the ingestion of its own feces.
The species is classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Its population is declining due to several threats across its native range. Habitat loss and fragmentation, primarily driven by the conversion of grasslands to agricultural land, reduce the open spaces the mara needs to survive.
Competition for forage with introduced livestock, particularly domestic sheep, adds pressure to the mara’s feeding resources. The species is also hunted for its meat and skin, contributing to its local extirpation in areas like the Buenos Aires Province. Conservation efforts focus on protecting the large, open habitats that support their ecology.