Patagonian Cavy

Description

Patagonian cavies are rodents with long legs and a body similar to hoofed animals. They have a grayish-brown coat with a white patch on their chest and stomach and orange fur around their head.

Range & Habitat

Patagonian cavies are only found in central and southern Argentina. They live arid grasslands and shrublands without trees.

At the Virginia Zoo, Patagonian cavies can be found at the Blue Barn at the ZooFarm.

Behavior

Cavies move by walking, hopping like a rabbit, galloping, or stotting, which is a unique movement where they bounce on all fours.

Cavies have litters of two or three young. The young are born out in the open, but they are quickly transferred to a communal burrow shared by up to 15 breeding pairs. Females work together to care for their young while males keep watch for predators. Young cavies stay inside their burrow for four to five months.

Diet

Cavies primarily eat grasses, but they also consume cacti, seeds, fruit, and flowers.

Conservation

The Patagonian cavy is threatened by habitat destruction for agriculture, hunting for their skins, and competition with introduced herbivores, like sheep and European hares.

Fun Facts

Cavies are fast runners, reaching speeds of up to 35 miles per hour.
Cavies have four clawed toes on their front feet for digging, while their hind feet have only three toes.
Patagonian cavies may also be called “maras” or “dillabies”.