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By Nancy Shefferly
Geographic Range
The mountain viscacha is found in the extreme southern portion of Peru, Western and Central Bolivia, Northern and Central Chile, and in Western Argentina.
Biogeographic Regions:
neotropical 
(native ).
Habitat
Viscachas inhabit rugged, rocky mountanous country with sparse vegetation.
Terrestrial Biomes:
mountains .
Physical Description
(6.6 lbs)
Like all members of this family, viscachas have thick, soft pelage, except on their tails where it is coarse. They have pale yellow or grey upper parts, and a black tail tip. Overall, viscachas look like rabbits. They have long, fur covered ears, edged with a fringe of white fur. All feet have four digits. The enamal of the incisors is not colored.
Some key physical features:
endothermic ; bilateral symmetry .
Reproduction
Mating occurs from October through December. After a gestation of 120-140 days, a female gives birth to a single, precocious young. The young are born fully furred, with their eyes open, and are able to eat solid food on their first day of life. Nursing continues for eight weeks. Females are remarkable for the large number of ova they ovulate (around 300) during each estrus period.
Key reproductive features:
gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual .
Behavior
These animals are diurnal and most active near sunrise and sunset. They spend the day on perches, grooming and sunning themselves. They are adept at moving over rocky surfaces. They do not hibernate.
Food Habits
Mountain viscachas are reputed to eat just about any plant they encounter. Their diet is principally composed of grasses, mosses and lichens.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Mountain viscachas are hunted for both meat and fur.
Ways that people benefit from these animals:
food ; body parts are source of valuable material.
Conservation Status
Populations are declining due to hunting by local peoples.
For More Information
Find Lagidium viscacia information at
Contributors
Nancy Shefferly (author), Animal Diversity Web Staff.
