Chacoan Mara

About the Chacoan Mara

The Chacoan mara (Dolichotis salinicola) or Chacoan cavy is a relatively large South American rodent of the cavy family. They are a close relative of the better known Patagonian mara. The Chacoan mara is the sole member of the genus Dolichotis.

Until recently Pediolagus was considered synonymous with Dolichotis and the Chacoan mara was a member of that genus. However, a 2020 study by the American Society of Mammalogists found significant difference between the two mara species to warrant resurrecting Pediolagus. Conversely, a 2021 study indicated that Pediolagus should be included in Dolichotis alongside the fossil species D. chapalmalense, D. major, and D. intermedia, and that the retention of Pediolagus would cause taxonomic issues and confusion for these fossil species. The American Society of Mammalogists and IUCN continue to recognize this species as a member of Dolichotis.

The Chacoan mara lives in the South American Chaco, the dry thorny forests and grasslands of Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia. Maras dig a burrow to sleep in at night. The Chacoan mara eat grasses and other herbage. They will eat nearly any available vegetation. Specifically... Wikipedia →