Mara (mammal)

Mara
Patagonian Mara
: Animalia : Chordata : Mammalia : Rodentia : Caviidae : Dolichotinae : Dolichotis
Species
Dolichotis patagonum Dolichotis salinicola

The maras (Dolichotis) are a genus of the cavy family. They are the sole representatives of the subfamily Dolichotinae. These large relatives of guinea pigs are common in the Patagonian steppes. There are two species of maras recognised:

• Patagonian Mara (Dolichotis patagonum)
• Chacoan Mara (Dolichotis salinicola)

The former is often kept in zoos and is also known as "Patagonian cavy" or "Patagonian hare".

Here is a female mara nursing its young:

See also

• Capybara