Mara (mammal)
Big Pampashase ( Dolichotis patagonum )
The Maras Maras or ( Dolichotinae ) form a subfamily of the guinea pigs in the order of rodents. There is only one genus ( Dolichotis ) with the two types: Actual or Big Pampashase (D. patagonum ) and Small Pampashase (D. salinicola ).
Features
Top and bottom of the coat are sold on the rear end sharply from each other: below white, gray black top. The small Pampashase is about 30 cm smaller than the large Pampashase which a head-body length of 65 - can reach 81 cm and a tail length of about 5 cm. The females of the large Maras reach an average weight of 8.3 kg, the male being only 7.7 kg. The maximum weight of the animals is 16 kg. Sitting, however, reminds the animal to a hare, standing on a small ungulate ..
Dissemination
Both species live in South America. The Great Pampashase inhabited the great grass plains of the Pampas of Argentina, on the other hand the little Pampashase lives in the dry areas of the Gran Chacoim northern Argentina, the extreme south of Bolivia and Paraguay. The fact that the animals always live in grasslands or forests, they can always seek cover from predators.
Way of life
Change The Maras their partner only when he dies. The female is every three to four months mating and only half an hour conception capable. Toss once per year, which falls on the months from August to November. The Maras can bring a maximum of five cubs are born, what happens after a gestation period of about 90 days. The animals have a lifespan of about 10 to 15 years.
Among the natural enemies include cats, Grisons, pumas and foxes Kamp. Birds of prey can be life-threatening only for the boys. Since the number of free-living Maras has decimated what is due to the destruction of their natural habitat, they were by the Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources ( IUCN) classified as low risk.