What is a Patagonia Cavy?

Source: americazoo.com

An example of a Patagonia Cavy.

The Name "Cavy": "Cavy" may come from the native South American Tupi Galibi word "cabiai." Patagonia is the area in southern Argentina.

Location: Patagonia.

Habitat: Terrestrial. Pampas.

Description: The cavy’s appearance reminds one of a hare because of its long ears and its long slender legs. The shape of the claws also resembles that of a hoof. The coat is grayish-brown, but white on the inside of the tail. The tail serves as an alarm signal when the members of the group are threatened. The cavy can grow to thirty inches in length, with a very small tail in addition. It can weigh over thirty pounds.

Behavior: This diurnal creature feeds on grasses and other plants and lives in small groups of ten to fifteen individuals. It is a swift runner and makes leaps of up to six feet. It digs its den in the ground, or else uses the burrows of other animals, such as armadillos.

Reproduction: Inside the den the female prepares a nest in which she gives birth to two or three young after a gestation of about three months days. Her four nipples are situated on the sides of her body and this enables her to suckle her young while sitting on her hind legs with her front legs extended forward. The offspring are independent after a few weeks, and reach sexual maturity at about two months.

The source for this information is: America Zoo.