Mara (mammal)
From Free net encyclopedia
{{Taxobox
| color = pink
| name = Mara
| fossil_range = Pleistocene - Recent
| image = Mara2.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = A mara nursing her young
| regnum = Animalia
| phylum = Chordata
| classis = Mammalia
| ordo = Rodentia
| familia = Caviidae
| subfamilia = Dolichotinae
| genus = Dolichotis
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
D. patagonum, Patagonian Mara
D. salinicola, Chacoan Mara
}}
The maras (Dolichotis) are a genus of the cavy family. They are the sole representatives of the subfamily Dolichotinae. These large relatives of guinea pigs are common in the Patagonian steppes of Argentina but live in other areas of South America as well such as Paraguay and Argentina.
There are two species of maras recognised, the Patagonian Mara (Dolichotis patagonum), and the Chacoan Mara (Dolichotis salinicola).
Patagonian Maras are often kept in zoos or as pets and is also known as "Patagonian cavy" or "Patagonian hare". They can be quite social with humans if raised with human interaction from a young age.
Physical description & movement
Maras have stocky bodies, three sharp-clawed digits on the hind feet, and four digits of the forefeet. Maras have been described as resembling long-legged rabbits. Patagonian Maras can run at speeds up to 18 miles per hour. Maras can weigh over 25 pounds in adulthood.
Most Maras have a brown head and body, a dark almost black rump with a white fringe around the base, and a white belly.
Maras may walk normally, hop in a rabbit-like fashion, gallop, or bounce on all fours.
Image:Patagonian Cavy.jpg
Image:Patagonian Cavies, Melbourne Zoo, Melbourne.jpg
Further reading & references
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/SmallMammals/fact-mara.cfm </br> http://www.blackpineanimalpark.com/Animals/patagonian_cavy.htm</br> http://fridayanimal.com/18-260805.php</br> http://www.hoglezoo.org/animals/view.php?id=146</br> http://sparky.twmuseums.org.uk/details/index.php?name=01_506.jpg&id=TWCMS:2001.506&q=&t=1&c=&parent=random&querystr=&img=0
See also
Template:Commonscatda:Mara de:Pampashasen fr:Dolichotis lt:Maros