AKRON, Ohio — The Akron Zoo has welcomed a new species to its family!
The zoo welcomed two female Patagonian mara, Bonita and Bettina, who are now in the zoo's Legends of the Wild area.
The six-year-old sisters were born in May 2017 at the Alexandria Zoological Park in Louisiana and came to Akron from the Toledo Zoo.
"They have short grayish-red fur, long ears, long hind legs and short front legs with strong claws for digging. Mara average 17-35 pounds and are around 27 inches long," said Akron Zoo officials
Patagonian mara is one of the largest rodent species native to Patagonia, a region of South America.
The IUCN Red List has mara classified as threatened due to its population decreasing because of habitat loss, hunting and the transitioning of grasslands to agricultural pastures.
If you are interested in seeing the new sisters, they will be housed at the zoo's former capybara habitat.
Admission to the Akron Zoo is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and $11 for children ages 2-14 years old. All children under two years old are free.
More information on the Akron Zoo can be found HERE.
