Patagonian mara

The mara is the second largest rodent in the world and its Latin species name "Dolichotis" means "long-eared".

The mara is highly monogamous, which means that males and females stay together for life. The relationship is especially "nurtured" by the male, who follows the female everywhere. To mark his female, the male pees on her and defends her against other rival males.

The female ovulates every 3-4 months, but it only lasts half an hour! This may help to explain the mara's monogamous relationship, as the male has a greater chance of mating with the female in this short period of time.

Although the female typically gives birth to two cubs, as many as four suckling cubs have been observed by the same female. This suggests that other females' offspring may "steal" milk from other females to get as much milk as possible.

As with other rodents, the mara eats and digests its own faeces and thus gets the full benefit of its food.

• Distribution: Only found in the open plains - called the pampas - in Argentina, South America
• Population: Almost endangered. Sheep farming on the pampas in particular has destroyed the mara's favourite habitats. The mara is also hunted for its meat and fur
• Weight: 8-13 kilos. Males are typically slightly heavier than females
• Body length: 60-80 centimetres. Males are typically slightly larger than females
• Sexual maturity: From 5-6 months of age
• Gestation: Around 100 days
• Number of young: 1-3, typically 2. In the wild, the mara only has one litter of young per year, but in captivity, females can become pregnant again shortly after birth. The babies suckle for 75-78 days, which is a long time compared to other rodents
• Food: Grass makes up the vast majority of the mara's diet. The diet is supplemented with other plants, fruit and cacti
• Lifespan: It is unknown how old maras can live in the wild, but in captivity they can live up to 14 years