Plains Viscacha

Robust body with grayish fur and a large head marked with a striking pattern of white and black stripes on the face. They live in highly organized colonies in complexes of underground tunnels called vizcacheras. At the entrances to their burrows they obsessively accumulate sticks, bones, dry dung and stones. Strongly dimorphic: the males (vizcachones) are double the size and weight of the females. Body length: 50 to 65 cm plus a short, stiff tail of 15 to 20 cm. Weight: 3.5 to 8 kg.

Behaviour

A strict herbivore: grasses, herbs and tender roots around its colony, keeping the grass short like a mown lawn. Strictly nocturnal: it spends the day sleeping underground and emerges as a group at dusk. The dominant male watches from an elevated position; at any threat, it gives a cutting whistle as an order for immediate retreat.

How and when to see it

Year-round. As they are strictly nocturnal, the ideal moment is at nightfall or during the predawn hours, roaming the campsites or the vicinity of the firm pedestrian trails.

Where to see it in the Iberá

The gateways of the Great Iberá Park where plains viscacha has confirmed presence:

Tours to see it

Verified providers operating at the gateways where plains viscacha lives. You contact them directly on WhatsApp from the app.

• Salvaje Iberá
  Senderismo, cicloturismo, safari fotográfico, avistaje de fauna, paseos largos en el día…★ 5
• Reserva Natural Estero Alma
  Reserva natural privada en Loreto. Senderos interpretativos, safari fotográfico…★ 5
• Gaucho Argentino
  Travesías a caballo por una red de refugios en el Iberá. Cabalgatas de varios días con…★ 5
• Jurassic Plant - Tour Nocturno
  El único jardín de plantas carnívoras de Argentina y pionero en Latinoamérica. Tour…★ 5

Species profile

• Common namePlains Viscacha
• Scientific nameLagostomus maximus
• GroupMammal
• StatusNative

Other species of the Iberá

• 🐆 Ocelot
• 🐜 Giant Anteater
• 🐆 Jaguar
• 🦦 Coypu
• 🐻 Southern Tamandua
• 🐒 Black Howler Monkey
• 🐱 Puma
• 🦦 Neotropical Otter