Adelaide Zoo

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Patagonian Mara

Mara sitting in enclosure, staring at camera.
Mara peeping its head behind a tree

Animal Facts

  • Genus:

    Dolichotis patagonum

  • Species:

    Patagonian Mara (Cavy)

  • Conservation
    Status:

    Near Threatened

  • Found In:

    South America

  • Length:

    69-75cm

  • Height:

    45cm

  • Weight:

    8-16kg

Stop by to say hello to our Patagonian Maras!

Adelaide Zoo is home to two groups of Patagonian Mara; a pair who live with Brazilian Tapir ‘Arturo’ and a pair who live with our other Brazilian Tapir ‘Chiquita’

Patagonian Mara (also called Patagonian Cavy) are interesting looking animals from the rodent family. They are fed a diet of vegetables, leafy greens, hay and special grass pellets. One of their favourite foods is bamboo which is offered to them daily, along with other types of vegetation to eats the leaves and chew the bark. Mara are typically a shy animal but are often seen basking in the sun, digging burrows or rolling around enjoying a dust bath at Adelaide Zoo!

Patagonian Maras are one of 14 species of rodents in Argentina, South America. With its cousins the guinea pig, rock cavies and more, the Patagonian Mara stands out as a small looking deer with long ears.

In the wild the Maras use their long legs for running, and their eating habits are crucial to their surrounding flora. As a herbivore, they are able to dispense seeds from the plants they eat. This nourishes the soil and encourages new growth.

The social structures of the Maras is unusual when compared to other mammals. Monogamous pairs will live together and defend their territory till they have pups. The female Patagonian Mara has a gestation period of 50-90 days and give birth to 1-4 per litter.

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