Chacoan mara facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chacoan mara Temporal range: Pleistocene–recent
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Synonyms
Dolichotis salinicola

The Chacoan mara (Pediolagus salinicola), also called the Chacoan cavy, is a type of large rodent found in South America. It belongs to the cavy family, which also includes guinea pigs. This animal is a close relative of the more famous Patagonian mara. The Chacoan mara is the only species in its group, known as the genus Pediolagus.

Understanding the Chacoan Mara

What is a Chacoan Mara?

The Chacoan mara is a unique rodent that looks a bit like a rabbit but is actually related to guinea pigs. It's known for its long legs and ability to run fast. These animals are an important part of the ecosystems where they live.

Where Do Chacoan Maras Live?

Chacoan maras live in a region of South America called the Gran Chaco. This area covers parts of Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia. The Gran Chaco is a dry place with thorny forests and open grasslands. Maras dig burrows in the ground where they sleep at night. These burrows help them stay safe from predators and the weather.

Mara Family Tree

How Scientists Classify Maras

For a long time, scientists thought the Chacoan mara belonged to the same group as the Patagonian mara. This group was called Dolichotis. However, in 2020, a study by the American Society of Mammalogists looked closely at the differences between the two mara species. They found enough unique features to give the Chacoan mara its own special group. This new group is called Pediolagus. So, the Chacoan mara is now the only member of the Pediolagus genus.

What Chacoan Maras Eat

Diet of the Chacoan Mara

Chacoan maras are herbivores, meaning they eat plants. Their diet mainly consists of grasses and other green plants. They are not picky eaters and will munch on almost any plant they can find. During the dry season, they eat a variety of plants, including small flowering plants (forbs), grasses, juicy succulents, and even parts of trees. When the wet season arrives, they mostly eat grasses and annual forbs, which are plants that complete their life cycle in one year.

Living Alongside Relatives

Even though Chacoan maras look a lot like Patagonian maras and live in the same areas, they have found a way to share their habitat. Chacoan maras are more flexible about what they eat and where they find food. This helps them avoid competing directly with their relatives. This ability to adapt has been a key to their survival for a very long time, even since the late Miocene epoch.

Social Life of Maras

Mara Group Sizes

Chacoan maras typically live in small groups. These groups usually have up to four animals. Living in small groups can help them find food and stay safe from predators.

See also

In Spanish: Conejo de los palos para niños