Lagostomus maximus (Desmarest, 1817)

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

The plains viscacha, also spelled plains vizcacha, with the scientific name Lagostomus maximus, is a viscacha species and a rodent belonging to the family Chinchillidae. It is the only living species in the genus Lagostomus, and the largest species in its entire family.

Geographic Range

It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay.

Burrow Construction

This species constructs elaborate burrows that can house consecutive colonies for decades.

Taxonomic Distinction

It should not be confused with the plains viscacha rat.

Communal Living Arrangement

Plains viscachas live in communal burrow systems. Their social groups hold one or more males, multiple females, and immature individuals.

Activity Pattern

They forage in groups at night and cluster together underground during the day.

Burrow Use and Maintenance

All group members use burrows across the entire communal system and take part in digging the burrows.

Alarm Call Production

Alarm calls are primarily produced by adult males.

Core Social Unit

The long-term social unit of plains viscacha is the female group. Resident males leave the group each year, and new males join the female groups.

Colony Size Variation

Colonies of plains viscacha can range in size from just a few individuals to hundreds of individuals.

Vocal Communication

To support social communication within the colony, the species has developed an impressive range of vocalizations that it uses during social interactions.

Female Social Dynamics

No dominance hierarchy exists among females.

Foraging Range

Members of a social group share a common foraging area surrounding their communal burrow system.

Natural Diet

They feed on a wide variety of grasses and forbs, and will occasionally graze on low shrubs.

Burrow Entrance Covering

They collect branches and heavy objects to cover their burrow entrances.

Hoarding of Human-Made Objects

When plains viscachas live near human settlements, they tend to hoard a wide range of human-made objects including brooms, tables, garden tools, firewood, trinkets, and pieces of concrete to cover their burrows.