Patagonian Mara
KABUKI and TURBO are Patagonian Maras (also known as Cavies), a fascinating species that looks like a mix between a deer and a rabbit. They arrived at Animal Tracks in June 2015, at just five months old, after coming from another animal facility in Arizona to become educational ambassadors.
In the wild, maras are naturally shy—after all, nearly everything hunts them! But thanks to their time here, Kabuki and Turbo have become incredibly social, sweet, and curious. In fact, they love people so much that they have a habit of nibbling on shoelaces, pant legs, or anything long and flowing. Don’t worry—they’re not being mischievous, just a little playful! We always bring treats to let them know we come with good things in our pockets.
Because of their small size and friendly nature, they’re a favorite among our younger visitors. One little girl, about five years old, once told us she was convinced they came from a princess’s castle! With their unique appearance and endearing personalities, they spark curiosity and imagination—many guests leave Animal Tracks excited to have met an animal they never even knew existed.
ORDER: Rodentia
FAMILY: Caviidae
GENUS: Dolichotis
SPECIES: Patagonum
Maras are diurnal, active during the day, herbivores, plant eaters. They are adapted with long legs to specifically run and keep a constant speed for long distances. They are also seed spreaders, incredibly important to the biomes in which they live. They are large rodents, that can hop in a rabbit like fashion, gallop or bounce on all fours. They normally live in male, female pairs but reside in mara settlements with other paired cavy. The monogamous couples breed in August to January with a gestation of about 90 days. Two pups are born in a litter, well developed with eyes already open and able to move on their own. They mature by 6 months of age for males and 3 months for females. They are the 4th largest rodent in the world. The only rodents larger are the capybara, beaver, and African porcupine. They are the bottom of the food chain in their environment, being hunted by birds, canids, and felids. This is why they are built to run; they even have the ability to jump 6 feet into the air.
Threats
Hunting, loss of habitat, as well as competition from other animals like the European hare and sheep.
Conservation Status
NT - Near Threatened