# Lagostomus maximus The Lagostomus maximus, also known as the greater guinea pig, is a large rodent that loves to dig and burrow in the ground. They are social animals and often live in groups, making them fun to watch! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Greater Guinea Pig ![Lagostomus maximus](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Lagostomus_maximus%252C_Plains_Viscacha.jpg&width=800) Photo: Brian Gratwicke, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lagostomus_maximus%252C_Plains_Viscacha.jpg) ## Appearance The Lagostomus maximus has a robust body covered in soft, grayish-brown fur, transitioning to white on its belly. Its most distinctive features are the prominent black and white stripes across its face, resembling a mustache and sideburns, and a bushy, dark-tipped tail. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Rodentia - **Family:** Chinchillidae - **Genus:** Lagostomus ## Interesting facts - Males grow impressive bristly 'mustaches' that get longer with age! - Their colonies can host hundreds of viscachas living together! - These social rodents love to sunbathe together outside their burrows! - Vizcachas pile sticks, bones, and even dung around their burrow entrances! ## Special abilities - **Burrow Builders:** Lagostomus maximus can dig extensive, multi-chambered burrow systems because their powerful claws and strong limbs are perfectly adapted for excavation. - **Alert Whistlers:** Lagostomus maximus has loud, sharp alarm calls that help warn the entire colony of approaching predators, allowing them to seek shelter. - **Moustache Magnets:** Lagostomus maximus has stiff, dark facial bristles that grow with age, which helps males attract mates and assert dominance. - **Communal Keepers:** Lagostomus maximus can maintain clean burrows by using designated latrine areas, which helps reduce disease and attract fewer predators. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 47-66 cm - **Weight:** 2-4 kg - **Lifespan:** 7-10 years - **Speed:** 40 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-4 - **Gestation:** 154 days ## Diet & Feeding These plant-eating rodents munch on grasses, herbs, and roots found in their South American habitat. - **Primary Foods:** Grasses, Herbs, Roots, Leaves, Seeds - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Puma (*Puma concolor*) — A primary predator in its natural range. - **Eaten by:** Argentine Grey Fox (*Lycalopex gymnocercus*) — Frequently preys on viscachas, especially young ones. - **Eaten by:** Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle (*Geranoaetus melanoleucus*) — Large birds of prey often hunt these rodents. - **Eats:** Bahiagrass (*Paspalum notatum*) — A common grass species that forms a significant part of its diet. - **Shelter:** Urutu Lancehead (*Bothrops alternatus*) — Sometimes uses abandoned viscacha burrows for shelter. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see one in the wild, it's best to watch from a distance and not disturb their home. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Lagostomus maximus? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Lagostomus maximus? 47-66 cm ### How much does Lagostomus maximus weigh? 2-4 kg ### How long does Lagostomus maximus live? 7-10 years ### How fast can Lagostomus maximus move? 40 km/h ### What does Lagostomus maximus eat? These plant-eating rodents munch on grasses, herbs, and roots found in their South American habitat. ### Where is Lagostomus maximus usually found? Grasslands ### How does Lagostomus maximus hunt? Grazing ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Lagostomus maximus: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lagostomus-maximus)