We have six new Patagonian maras!

It’s a bunny! It’s a capybara! No, wait. It’s a…mara? You may notice six new faces in the Flooded Forest mixed yard of our Rainforest Revealed loop this week—these are none other than our new Patagonian cavy, also known as Patagonian maras!  

Local to the Patagonian regions of Argentina, these little ones are large rodents similar to jackrabbits. With perky ears, plush fur and big, beady eyes, they sure are adorable, too! 

Our mara family, made up of three females and three males, are all a bit over three months old. They came to us after being rescued from a private facility.  

One of our maras explores their new habitat. 

For now, our maras will remain in our Flooded Forest habitat, shared with our howler monkeys, whistling ducks, roseate spoonbills, scarlet ibis, river turtles, boat-billed herons and macaws. They are still a little timid as they adjust to their new surroundings, but their habitat-mates have been friendly and curious toward the bunch. 

Our Zoo has cared for mara before, but not for quite some time!

When the maras grow bigger, we plan to shift them across the path to share a habitat with Biggie the capybara, Mia the Baird’s tapir and Tuba and Trumpet, our coscoroba swans. 

Make sure you stop by the Flooded Forest and check out the maras on your next visit!