Chacoan mara

Small Mara, Tierpark Berlin

The Little Pampashase ( Dolichotis salinicola ), also Little Mara, belongs to the family of guinea pigs, even if his way of moving to a hare recalls. There is a larger type in the kind of Maras, which essentially differs only by their size. In zoos, the little Pampashase against the Great Maras ( Dolichotis patagonum ) is rarely seen.

Features

The Little Pampashase resembles a hare and reaches a body length of 45 to 50 cm and is about 4 kg. He has no white coat color at the back part as the Great Pampashase.

Dissemination

The distribution area of the Little Maras includes the Gran Chaco in the southeast of South America in the countries of Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay. In Argentina, it is sufficient in the south to the province of Cordoba, in Bolivia only the outermost southern part of this area. In northern Argentina, the distribution area overlaps with that of the Great Maras.

As a resident of the Gran Chaco preferred the way dry lowland areas with a vegetation of thorn bushes. The species occurs in both natural, primary habitats as well as in altered secondary habitats. The action area includes 33.3 to 197.5 hectares, an average of approximately 97.9 hectares.

Way of life

The Little Pampashase grazing in small groups and as a bunny hopping moves forward. In contrast to the rabbit but it also has the ability to move around in the ambling. However, the long hind legs make it ideal for quick bursts of speed, but what he's doing only in an emergency. Then he takes refuge in his self-dug or taken over by other animals burrow, into which the diurnal animal not only withdraws at night, but also his boys rears there.

The females give birth to one to three pups. The gestation period is 77 days in captivity.

Threats and conservation

The species is " not endangered " by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN ) due to the population size and the large distribution area than estimated ( Least concern ). Within its range it is common and a decline in the population, this would constitute a hazard does not exist.

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• Guinea pigs