Northern viscacha facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Northern viscacha |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Lagidium
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| Species: |
peruanum
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The northern viscacha (Lagidium peruanum) is a type of viscacha. It is a rodent that belongs to the Chinchillidae family. These furry animals live in Peru and Chile. They can be found high up in the mountains, from 300 to 5000 meters above sea level. You might also find them in Bolivia.
Contents
What Does a Northern Viscacha Look Like?
The northern viscacha has a head and body that can be about 30 to 45 centimeters long. Its bushy tail is almost as long and can even curl up. An adult viscacha usually weighs between 900 and 1600 grams.
Its long ears are covered in fur. The body fur is thick and soft, but the tail has rougher hairs. The fur on its back can be dark grey in lower areas or brown in higher mountains. Its belly is cream or light grey. The tip of its tail is often reddish-brown or black.
Where Do Northern Viscachas Live?
Northern viscachas live in central and southern Peru, and northern Chile. They might also be found near Lake Titicaca in Peru and Bolivia. They live at very high altitudes, from 300 to 5000 meters above sea level.
These animals make their homes in cracks and holes in rocks. You can find them in different rocky places. Most northern viscachas live between the tree line (where trees stop growing) and the snow line (where snow stays all year). They are common in some areas but completely missing in others, even if the habitat looks the same.
Northern Viscacha Behaviour
Northern viscachas are herbivores. This means they eat plants. They enjoy a variety of plants, including grasses, roots, and seeds.
Reproduction
Northern viscachas usually have their babies in October and November. A mother viscacha typically gives birth to one baby, called a pup. The pregnancy lasts about 140 days. The young pup drinks its mother's milk until it is about 8 weeks old.
Staying Safe from Predators
Northern viscachas are hunted by other animals. Some of their predators include the Andean mountain cat (Leopardus jacobitus), the colocolo (Leopardus colocolo), and the culpeo (Lycalopex culpaeus). These predators live in the high-altitude desert areas.
Viscachas often choose to live on larger, steeper parts of cliffs. This helps them escape from predators. It's harder for land animals to catch them on a steep slope. They rarely go far from rocks. The rocks provide a safe place to hide from both animals on the ground and birds of prey in the sky.
Conservation Status
The northern viscacha is common in places where it can find suitable rocky homes. The number of these animals is quite steady. People sometimes hunt them for food in certain areas. However, there are no other big threats to them. Because of this, the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) lists the northern viscacha as a species of Least Concern. This means they are not currently at risk of disappearing.
Gallery
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Vizcachas in Chicla city, Huarochiri, Lima, Peru
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Viscachas near Chicla city, on the road to Neveria Lagoon, Lima, Peru
See also
In Spanish: Vizcacha del norte para niños
