THE VIZCACHA 



(Lagostomus trichodactylus) 



THE Vizcacha is one of the most characteristic animals of the Pampas 

 region of South America, where its habits have been closely studied by 

 many observers, especially by Mr. W. H. Hudson in Argentina. It is about 

 the size of a Hare, the male being considerably larger than the female, 

 which is also lighter in colour ; the young closely resemble the adults in 

 miniature. The tail is bushy, and the feet have four toes on the front 

 paws, but only three on the hind. In its movements the Vizcacha is 

 clumsy ; when going about slowly it rests its hind-limbs on the hocks 

 in an awkward-looking way, and its speed is so small that no Dog can 

 fail to overtake it. Thus it relies for defence on its power of burrow- 

 ing, and on the social habits which make the " Vizcachera " a little self- 

 supporting community, somewhat like that of the Beavers in the North. 



A Vizcacha colony is usually started by some old male, who digs out 

 his subterranean dwelling in some favourable spot ; ultimately he is joined 

 by others, and a warren is formed. The earth thrown up out of the 

 burrows, which are very wide at the mouth, makes a mound, securing the 

 inmates against the danger of floods, and their continual cropping of the 

 herbage creates a smooth close turf for some distance round their homes, 

 on which they can play and feed in security, being able to see an enemy 

 from some distance, and so escape in time. 



Vizcachas are nocturnal animals, and it is not till nightfall that they 

 come forth, at first sitting on their haunches at the entrance of their 

 holes, the lady members of the party conspicuous by their alert and lively 

 behaviour. They have a considerable variety of notes, and the squeaks, 

 squeals, grunts, and groans that they are able to produce have quite the 

 effect of an animated conversation. Like rodents generally, they have a 

 passion for exercising their teeth, and are particularly fond of gnawing 



2D 



