Template:Short description {{#invoke:other uses|otheruses}} Template:More citations needed Template:Automatic taxobox
Maras, subfamily Dolichotinae, are a group of rodents in the family Caviidae.<ref name = MSW3>Template:MSW3 Hystricognathi</ref> These large relatives of guinea pigs are common in the Patagonian steppes of Argentina, but also live in Paraguay and elsewhere in South America. There are two extant species, the Patagonian mara of the genus Dolichotis and the Chacoan mara of the genus Pediolagus. Traditionally this species was also thought to belong to Dolichotis; however, a 2020 study by the American Society of Mammalogists found significant difference between the two mara species to warrant resurrecting the genus Pediolagus for it.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Several extinct genera are also known.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
DescriptionEdit
Maras have stocky bodies, three sharp-clawed digits on the hind feet, and four digits of the fore feet. Maras have been described as resembling long-legged rabbits; while standing, they can also resemble a small ungulate. Patagonian maras can run at speeds up to Template:Convert. The Patagonian species can weigh over Template:Convert in adulthood. The average weight of adult male Patagonian maras is Template:Convert and in adult females is Template:Convert.<ref name= Campos>Campos, C. M., Tognelli, M. F., & Ojeda, R. A. (2001). Dolichotis patagonum. Mammalian species, 2001(652), 1–5.</ref> Meanwhile, the Chacoan mara, though still large for a rodent, is much smaller, weighing around Template:Convert.<ref>Campo, D. H., Caraballo, D. A., Cassini, G. H., Lucero, S. O., & Teta, P. (2020). Integrative taxonomy of extant maras supports the recognition of the genera Pediolagus and Dolichotis within the Dolichotinae (Rodentia, Caviidae). Journal of Mammalogy, 101(3), 817–834.</ref>
Most maras have brown heads and bodies, dark (almost black) rumps with a white fringe around the base, and white bellies.
Maras may amble, hop in a rabbit-like fashion, gallop, or bounce on all fours. They have been known to leap up to Template:Convert.
Maras mate for life, and may have from one to three offspring each year. Mara young are very well-developed, and can start grazing within 24 hours. They use a crèche system, where one pair of adults keeps watch over all the young in the crèche. If they spot danger, the young rush below ground into a burrow, and the adults are left to run to escape.<ref name= Campos/>
GeneraEdit
Interaction with humansEdit
Patagonian maras are often kept in zoos or as pets, and are also known as "Patagonian cavies" or "Patagonian hares". They can be quite social with humans if raised with human interaction from a young age, though they avoid people in the wild. Maras may even change their habits from coming out in day to becoming nocturnal, simply to avoid social interaction.
GalleryEdit
- Patagonian Cavy.jpg
Patagonian mara at the Wildlife Ranch in San Antonio, Texas
- Patagonian Cavies, Melbourne Zoo, Melbourne.jpg
A pair of Patagonian maras at the Melbourne Zoo
- Dolichotis patagonum closeup.jpg
Close-up of a Patagonian mara
- A mara at tropical wings.JPG
Mara at Tropical Wings