The Patagonian Mara is like no other rodent you’ve seen. However, with long hare-like ears and a body resembling a small deer, it’s built for speed.
Patagonian Maras are well adapted for running with long, powerful hind limbs. In contrast, their front limbs are shorter, with four sharp claws that help the Mara to dig burrows, which they use to escape from predators and to give birth.
Widely distributed throughout the Argentinean lowland scrub desert and open grasslands, the Mara is a social animal living in large groups consisting of males, females and their offspring.
Mating occurs from August through to December. During the birthing period, females will dig a communal burrow, which will become home to many offspring from different adult pairs. Following a pregnancy period of between 90 to 100 days, the female will give birth to between one and three young, which are born well developed and with their eyes open.
