Patagonian Cavy - Middle School Grassland Wildlife

Patagonian Cavy
Lee Richardson Zoo
Garden City, Kansas

Classification:
Order Rodentia
Family Caviidae
Dolichotis patagonum

Conservation Status:
Thought to be declining, but not formally listed by USFWS or CITES

Description:
Cavies are large rodents. Their closest relative is the guinea pig, but they resemble hares or miniature antelope. They can weigh up to 35 pounds and be 2 ½ feet in length. Their fur is gray or brown, with lighter brown to white on the underparts and white on the rump, similar to the rump patches of many deer and antelope. They have long legs and large ears. Their hind feet have three toes, each with a large hoof-like claw. Their front feet have 4 toes with sharp claws for digging.

Range:
Patagonia in Argentina

Habitat:
Arid grasslands

Diet:
In the wild, they eat grasses and other plants. In the zoo, they browse on the grass that grows naturally in their yard. They also eat ADF 16 pellets and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Life Cycle:
Cavies breed from August to November (spring in the southern hemisphere). At the beginning of the breeding season, they gather in groups around a system of burrows. Females give birth to 1-3 young (usually 2) outside of a burrow entrance. The young are born completely furred, with their eyes and ears open. They can walk within minutes, and they enter the burrow on their own. The mother visits the burrow at least once each day to allow the young to nurse. For their first four months, the young stay in the burrow, coming out only to nurse or to graze on grass. They are mature when they are about 8 months old. Most live 10 years or less, but they can live up to 14 years in captivity.

Did You Know?

· Cavies can run up to 35 miles per hour. In the open grasslands, they rely on speed to escape from predators.

· They form life-long pair bonds, but are usually seen in larger groups of up to 35 pairs. Each male in the group defends his mate and the territory around her.

· Cavies are declining because of competition with the European hare, which has been introduced to Argentina . The hares eat the same type of food as the cavies, and can reproduce much faster.