Greater Good Charities and our partners recently traveled to the high desert region of Mendoza, Argentina, to celebrate a major milestone in conservation. Together, we formally donated more than 40,000 hectares (over 100,000 acres) of private land to the Mendoza provincial government for permanent protection.
While on the ground, our team explored the newly protected terrain—surveying, exploring, and setting up cameras to observe the wild species who call it home.
Meet the Plains Viscacha
One of the animals we encountered was the plains viscacha—a charismatic, burrowing rodent and the largest member of the chinchilla family. Plains viscacha are not to be confused with the lighter and smaller mountain viscacha, a diurnal key prey species for the Andean mountain cat, that occupies rocky mountainous areas.
The plains viscacha is found throughout regions in Argentina, which is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. The plains viscachas are an integral part of the ecosystem, playing a vital role in soil health and providing an important food source to larger predators, including wild cats such as pumas and Geoffrey’s cat. To protect this vital and diverse region, we have to understand each of its essential living components.
Appearance
Though the viscacha closely resembles a rabbit, they are actually related to chinchillas. They have long ears and coarse, bushy tails. Pads on their feet allow them to walk on rough terrain and long hind legs make it possible for them to leap across wide distances.
Habitat
The Plains viscacha is a very social animal known for forming large colonies, viscachas build complex, multi-generational burrow systems called vizcacheras that can house dozens—sometimes hundreds—of individuals. These burrows not only support viscacha communities but also provide essential habitat for a variety of other species, including insects, reptiles, and small mammals.
Plains viscachas play a critical role in shaping their ecosystems. Their burrowing, grazing, and foraging behaviors significantly influence soil composition, plant growth, and overall biodiversity. Viscachas also use vocalizations—often led by males—to alert the colony of danger, creating a natural alarm system. During the day, they forage for food and gather branches and debris to conceal burrow entrances, helping protect their colonies from predators and environmental threats.
Behavior
Viscachas are nocturnal and always on the lookout for predators, plains viscachas burrow into holes in the ground whenever they detect a threat. When they aren’t hiding, viscachas sunbathe on the rocks and subsist on moss, grass, and lichen. They have a complex communication system with a large range of vocalizations used in social interactions. While we don’t yet know what the average lifespan of a plains viscacha is, we know that they can live up to 19 years in captivity.
Fast Facts about the Plains Viscacha:
Species: Lagostomus maximus — the only living member of its genus
Family: Largest member of the chinchilla family and are the only living species in the genus Langostomus.
Weight: Can grow up to 20 pounds
Habitat: Native to the Pampas regions of Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay
Social Structure: Highly social; live in large colonies
Burrows: Build complex, communal burrow systems used for generations
How They Impact Biodiversity
While plains viscachas are not currently at risk, it is vital that their populations thrive to sustain the endangered Andean Mountain cat. Biodiverse ecosystems like Argentina depend on thousands of puzzle pieces all fitting together.
In addition, plains viscachas are ecosystem engineers. Their burrowing activities help:
- Aerate and fertilize the soil, supporting healthy plant growth
- Disperse seeds and encourage native vegetation
- Create shelter and microhabitats used by insects, reptiles, and birds
- Maintain open grasslands that benefit grazing species like guanacos
By shaping their environment, viscachas play a key role in maintaining the ecological balance of the Pampas—supporting biodiversity from the ground up.
Why This Matters
Land conservation like this is crucial. It protects endangered species, preserves natural ecosystems, and ensures future generations can experience the wild wonders of South America.
With your continued support, we can conserve even more land—and protect rare and remarkable species like the Plains Viscacha.
