The Chacoan mara (Dolichotis salinicola) is from the cavies family, which includes the capybara, and guinea pigs. These large rodents can be found living in burrows within small groups of up to four individuals.
Behaviour: Little is known about the mating behavior of this species. Apart from activities related to reproduction, female and male Chacoan maras have little to no contact with one another.
Chacoan maras exhibit unique, playful, behaviour, which has been described as ‘frisky hops.’ This is often combined with sandbathing (rolling) and urine marking. Scent is an important means of communications and individuals urinate on one another as an additional way to share their scent.
Diet
Charcoan Mara are vegitarian, mostly eating grasess and herbs.
Habitat
The Chaco – a large area in Paraguay consisting of arid forests, thorny scrublands, wetlands, and seasonal rivers and streams
Life Span
Chacoan Mara can live up to 14 years in captivity
Fact
Mara can run at high speeds from just a few hours after birth to try and escape from predators
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