Patagonian Mara

Patagonian Mara Natural History

Size

Maras weigh between 8- 16 kg and measure about 70cm in length with a very short tail measuring only 5cm.

Habitat and Distribution

These animals inhabit central and southern Argentina. They prefer the open spaces that brushlands and grasslands offer as these provide them with plenty of food. The availability of food can really impact on the range of a Mara.

Age

The Patagonian Mara can live to around 14 years of age in captivity.

Diet

They feed on the grasses and cactuses available on the open plains of their habitat as well as seeds, flowers, fruits and even their own waste. This helps them to get the most nutrition out of their food.

Groups and Breeding

These animals mate for life and travel together as a pair with males aggressively protecting their mates from threats.

Females only have a 30 minute window in which they can breed 3-4 times a year. Once pregnant her gestation will last 100 days and she will typically give birth to 1-3 young. They are born out in the open and then moved into a burrow used by other Mara couples too.

Females take on most of the care duties for the young while males focus on protecting the burrow. Maras nurse for around 80 days which is longer than most other rodents do.

Threats

Maras are listed as a Near Threatened species by the IUCN. Despite being a widespread species their numbers are declining due to hunting, habitat loss and competition for food with other herbivores that have been introduced to the habitats by humans.

Interesting Facts

Patagonian Maras travel by walking, hopping, galloping or stotting — a form of movement where the animal springs along on all fours (you may have also seen our deer, Reggie move around like this).

The Patagonian Mara During Your Day Out in Kent

We have a group of 13 Maras living on the lake opposite the pumas and they are a variety of ages and sexes. The group are fed a variety of fresh veg, particularly greens.