Plains Viscacha: An Amazing Rodent from the Chinchilla Family

The plains viscacha (Plains viscacha) is one of the most curious representatives of the chinchilla family, living in the South American pampas. These animals amaze with their adaptation to life in arid steppes, complex social structure, and bright appearance.

Habitat and Distribution

Plains viscachas are widely distributed across the vast grassy plains (pampas) of Argentina and are also found in neighboring regions of Bolivia and Paraguay. They prefer arid, open landscapes where they can move freely in search of food. These rodents are highly social creatures and live in large colonies, building underground burrow “cities” that can occupy significant areas.

Appearance and Size

The plains viscacha resembles a small rabbit with long vibrissae and a fluffy tail. It has well-developed hind legs that allow it to move quickly across rough terrain. The fur is usually gray-brown or yellowish-buff, helping viscachas camouflage in the open grassy plains.

• Size and Sexual Dimorphism. An adult plains viscacha can weigh up to 6 kg, making it one of the largest species in its family. Males are noticeably larger than females, and within a colony, several females may live together with a large dominant male.
• Characteristic “whiskers” in males. One of the interesting features of male plains viscachas is their black, contrasting whiskers and stiff sideburns, which stand out against the lighter fur of their face. These whiskers not only give viscachas a distinctive “rugged” look but may also serve as an additional element of communication in social interactions.

This combination of black vibrissae, a fluffy tail, and fur coloration makes the plains viscacha easily recognizable among other rodents of the chinchilla family.

Lifestyle and Social Behavior

One of the most fascinating features of these animals is their complex social structure. Plains viscachas form large colonies that can consist of several dozen individuals. They build extensive underground tunnel and burrow systems that provide protection from predators and harsh weather conditions.

• The burrows consist of multiple chambers for resting and storing food.
• Within the colony, the dominant male is highly active in defending the territory, deterring competitors, and protecting females.
• Within the group, viscachas maintain a kind of “neighborly relationship”: they often groom each other and collectively guard offspring.

Diet

Viscachas are herbivorous rodents, and the main part of their diet consists of grasses, seeds, leaves, and roots. Thanks to their ability to eat tough and dry plants, these animals can go for long periods without water, extracting enough moisture from their food. However, in arid regions, viscachas still try to settle near seasonal water bodies or dry riverbeds.

Reproduction

Plains viscachas typically reproduce once or twice a year. After a relatively short gestation period (about 140 days), the female gives birth to one or two offspring. Newborn viscachas are born with well-developed fur and can follow their mother almost immediately. Nevertheless, they spend the first weeks in burrows to avoid contact with predators.

Interesting Facts

1. Social “cities”. The burrow systems of plains viscachas can be so extensive and well-fortified that, according to observations, they are used by other species (e.g., armadillos) as shelters.
2. Crushing tooth strength. Like many rodents, viscachas have strong incisors that grow throughout their lives. This allows them to chew even tough plant stems.
3. Pests or saviors? Farmlands often suffer from viscacha burrowing, which is why farmers consider them pests. However, by breaking up the topsoil, viscachas simultaneously promote natural soil aeration and seed dispersal, helping the ecosystem recover.

Plains Viscacha at Zie-Zoo in Volkel, Netherlands