Donate Here
(Secured through Paypal)
Patagonian Cavy
Mischief was originally rescued by a couple from a road size zoo type of place, where he was housed improperly. As a result, he ended up with really weak muscles. This wonderful couple took him in and worked with him for a year. They got him in really good shape. His muscles are now fine. However, living with a 25 pound rodent in your house isn't an easy thing to do. As any rodent, mara need to chew constantly, this doesn't fit in well in a home. The males also have this interesting habit of spraying those who they respect and he really respected the man he was living with as well as my husband.
Please continue reading after the pictures.
|
Patagonian cavies/Mara are the third largest rodent in the world!
While it was really hard for them, this couple decided that Mischief would be better off here.
He is fitting right in. We did a small fundraiser to help partially pay for his new outdoor enclosure, which turned out wonderfully. The problem is, Mischief is VERY people oriented and gets lonely very quickly. So, a local breeder has loaned us a friend, Scoobie, to keep Mischief company outside. we've now doubled the size of the enclosure and both Mara are doing great together.
Both still get to come out into the yard nightly to help mow the lawn, and they do come in the house for visits daily.
Mischief is really enjoying doing the educational programs, he just loves attention.
Shaggy is our second rescued cavy. He was purchased by an elderly woman as a pet. When her health began to fail, she could no longer take care of him, so a family member tried to, but could not provide the proper habitat for him. So, somebody took him in to find him a home, and she found us. He will now be Scoobie's (Mischief's new name) buddy. As you can see, his fur looks a bit rough, we think this is from improper diet, so are hoping to clear that up soon. He's still a bit standoffish with us, but is coming around.
Shaggy and Scoobie have given us quite a surprise!!!
Dini is sponsored by Judy!!!
In The Wild
Classification: |
Rodent, Cavimorphs |
Native Region: |
Arid grasslands of Patagonia in Argentina. |
Diet: |
Herbivore, In the wild their diet consists mostly of grasses and other vegetation. In captivity, they are fed a mixture of hay and either guinea pig or chinchilla pellets. |
Behavior: |
Patagonian cavies are basically diurnal, though in more inhabited areas, they tend to come out more at night then in the day time. |
Social Structure: |
While they are known to form life bonding pairs, they live in groups of up to 35 cavies. They are a very social species |
Interesting Facts: |
Patagonian cavies can reach speeds up to 35 mph. Their closest relative is the guinea pig. These animals resemble a cross between a hare and an antelope. Able to walk on all fours like an antelope, and leap at heights up to six feet into the air. They are accomplished diggers. Borrowing either by building their own den or by inhabiting those built by other species, such as the armadillo. |