Mara

Maras inhabit the grass and brush-lands of South and Central Argentina where they seek out areas with wide open spaces and an abundance of vegetation; their favorite food items being grasses and herbs. Maras are monogamous throughout their lifetime and will produce 2-3 litters per year of 1-3 young. A group of roughly 15 breeding pairs will give birth and rear their young in a communal den. Susequently, the adults will take turns returning to the den to care for their own newborns. While the female is nursing, the male will stand guard over the den and attack members of the other breeding pairs if they come too close. Maras typically live 8 years in the wild and can live up to 14 years in captivity.