Argentine Pampas and scrubland-dwelling rodent
Lagostomus maximus of the chinchilla family. It is up to 70 cm/2.2 ft long with a 20 cm/8 in tail, and weighs 7 kg/15 lb. It is grey and black and has a large head and small ears. Viscachas live in warrens of up to 30 individuals. They are usually nocturnal and feed on grasses, roots, and seeds.
Four species of
Mountain viscachas genus
Lagidium, also called Peruvian hares, are smaller and have long ears and tails and are found in rocky places feeding by day on sparse vegetation.
© RM 2009. Helicon Publishing is division of RM.