Mammal
Chacoan Mara
Dolichotis salinicolaAlso known as Chacoan Cavy, Dwarf Mara
Chacoan maras navigate the dense thorn scrub of South America's Gran Chaco using long, rabbit-like legs adapted for rapid bounding through open thickets. Living in small monogamous pairs or family groups, these diurnal cavies spend their days grazing on harsh foliage and taking refuge in underground burrows. Mated pairs remain together for life, jointly defending communal nurseries where multiple litters are raised together.
MammalDiurnalHerbivore
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyGrasses, Shrub leaves, Cacti
Predators
- Pumas
- Jaguars
- Maned Wolves
ThreatsHabitat loss from agricultural clearing and livestock grazing
HabitatsDry scrublands, thorn forests, and salt flats
Life span10–15 years in captivity
Classification
- FamilyCaviidae
- SpeciesDolichotis salinicola
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- May bite or scratch if cornered; observe from a respectful distance.
Responsible observation
- Timing: Search for them during early morning or late afternoon when temperatures are cooler.
- Distance: Maintain a quiet stance near brush edges, as they flee quickly if startled.
- Habitat Cues: Look for communal burrow entrances near salt flats and low scrub thickets.
Co-Inhabitant (c) Dave Pape, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Nikolang, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Family Relative "Capybara" by lorentey is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Family Relative (c) Kacper Aleksander, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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