A team of zoologists has documented the unusual mating rituals of Patagonian maras, large rodents native to southern Argentina. These social animals are typically monogamous and pair off for only a few mating occasions each year, while much of the time they maintain a curious ritual of urinating on one another to deter rivals. The observations appeared in a scientific journal article focused on mammalian behavior.
Growing up to 76 centimeters in length, Patagonian maras exhibit a distinct reproductive strategy that includes raising offspring in communal dens with as many as 22 pairings present. Female maras show sexual receptivity during only three to four brief windows each year, each lasting about 30 minutes, which influences the mating dynamics within the group.
Researchers report that male Patagonian maras accompany females during their movements and periodically spray dung on the surrounding terrain as a territorial signal. This behavior helps establish and maintain the social structure of the colony and reduces conflict among individuals sharing space and resources.
On several occasions, both members of a pair mark their partner by exchanging urine, a behavior that appears to strengthen pair bonds and facilitate coordination within the den complex.
Because the female’s estrous window is short, males do not engage in traditional polygamy; the limited timeframe makes it unlikely for a male to locate additional mates within a single breeding season, thus reinforcing monogamous pairings.
Scientists note that monogamous bonds among Patagonian maras tend to be robust even after the loss of a partner. In observed cases, the remaining partner often continues life within the social group rather than seeking a new mate immediately, suggesting a resilient social structure that prioritizes established bonds and cooperative care of offspring.
Additional context from researchers indicates that female giraffes have been observed displaying a somewhat analogous, though species-specific, courtship pattern, highlighting how different mammals use scent, urine, and social proximity in mating strategies across environments.