Marvelous Mara

Mara, the large relatives of guinea pigs, are common in the Patagonian steppes of Argentina but live in other areas of South America as well such as Paraguay. Maras are the fourth largest rodent in the world, after capybaras, beavers, and porcupines, Maras have stocky bodies, three sharp-clawed digits on the hind feet, and four digits of the forefeet. Maras have been described as resembling long-legged rabbits. Patagonian Maras can run at speeds up to 29 km (18 mi) per hour. Maras can weigh over 11 kg (24 lb) in adulthood. Most Maras have a brown head and body, a dark almost black rump with a white fringe around the base, and a white belly. Maras may amble, hop in a rabbit-like fashion, gallop, or bounce on all fours. Maras mate for life, and may have from 1 to 3 offspring each year. Mara babies are very well developed, and can start grazing within 24 hours. They use a slightly hostile creche system, where one pair of adults keep watch for all the youngsters in the creche. If they spot danger, the young rush below ground into a burrow (usually dug by a burrowing owl), and the adults are left to run for it.