The World's Fastest Rodent Is Related to the Guinea Pig, But Can Run Up to Nearly 28 MPH with 8-Foot Strides
Learn how the Patagonian mara’s long legs and unusual movements help this guinea pig relative escape predators across Argentina’s plains.
In 1972, researcher J. P. Rood observed a Patagonian mara – a rodent related to the guinea pig – reaching speeds of up to 28 miles per hour. This speedy creature can cover nearly 28 miles in just over half a mile, showcasing its remarkable agility. Despite its relatively small size, measuring around 27 inches in length, the mara has gained the title of the world's fastest rodent.
According to a 2019 study published in Mastozoología Neotropical, the mara's body is uniquely adapted for running, with no other living rodent matching its specialized design. The team filmed 10 maras at a zoo in Argentina in 2012, and found that the top speed reached is around 22 mph. The footage revealed that the maras move by pacing, with both legs on one side swinging forward together, a behavior that is unique within rodents.
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