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howmanylettersdothey

That is a Patagonian cavy (Mara) definitely not native and most likely someone’s escaped pet


SwordieLotus

Interesting. We had definitely never seen one in 20 years of living in the area, so that makes sense. Are they common pets??


howmanylettersdothey

Can’t really speak to them as popular pets. If they’re hand raised maybe it would work out but naturally they’re incredibly skittish.


TheLeggacy

It’s reaction to humans makes me think it’s escaped from a zoo or something. A wild animal would run, this one has clearly spent time around people.


anntchrist

Yes, I saw one of these cycling through Patagonia and it bolted so fast that it scared the shit out of me. This one is definitely tame, and rare to see even in its native land.


Careful-Tangerine986

They can use bicycles too?


RiverJumper84

Cavy, Cavy, give me your answer do...


AccountOfMyDarkside

I'm half crazy over the love of you!


soopastar

It won’t be a stylish marriage - I can’t afford a carriage


dahwhat

Sounds like they can go fast too!


Rh140698

I lived in the Patagonia of Argentina for 2 years, and you saw these all the time. Like everyone has said they bolt when you approach them


SomeKindaWonderer

If they're raised by people, they're normally bottle fed by humans because the adults will eat the baby's ears off, in captivity.


Metallicreed13

Wait, what? Why?


SomeKindaWonderer

I don't know why? It's weird, though. It would happen every time we didn't pull one soon enough.


TTU_Raven

I have worked with more than a few who never harmed their offspring while caring for them. If they are eating or harming their offspring, that's more than likely due to stress.


SomeKindaWonderer

I'm not sure why they would have been stressed because we had like 20 on an acre of land. They had enrichment and everything they needed. We (my parents) were a USDA licensed rescue. We did rescues with the government (rescuing a lot of exotics) and had a LOT of random inspections. I know the USDA doesn't always do what's best, but we really tried to make all the rescues healthy and happy. My mom was an exotic vet tech, and I am a retired small animal vet tech.


Atiggerx33

Could be stressed from stuff that happened before you guys got them. It takes animals a good long while to know they're safe, some are always wary after.


DEUSOR-G

Sometimes they eat their babies because of bad genes, any sort of mutations and or handicaps usually contributes to being eaten, this happens everywhere in the animal kingdom, lots of different species do this, it's just nature's way of "Gene editing"


NoHalfPleasures

You never seen a baby so cute you wanted to bite it?


asumfuck

animals aren't meant to be in captivity and most zoos do a poor job of imitating natural habitats. there are many animals that act strangely or will adapt poorly to captivity. killer whales are a common example of this. every captive killer whale has a limp dorsal fin that has never been seen in a wild whale since they are forced to spend so much time in shallow waters. Edit- read comments before you write yours. odds are whatever you think is an important correction has already been discussed. Reddit nerds are so cringe they see a perceived mistake and start jerking off immediately. So if you responded or are thinking of responding with what you think is a gotcha and the post has been out for more than 30 mins, you can just shut up lol


ConversationAble1438

Many animals wouldn't exist without zoos. Most do incredible research and conservation. Not all of course. There is a species of a highly adapted frog in Tanzania that wouldn't exist without the Bronx zoo. They reintroduced them back into the wild once the zoo population was adequate enough.


Boba_Fettx

And the Red Wolves of North Carolina would’ve been extinct in the wild if it weren’t for breeding programs of zoos across America.


Blessedbeauty87

You're right, it's not normal for their dorsal fins to be limp but I saw a video a few days ago with a pod of wild killer whales that have collapsed dorsal fins. It's presumed they are that way from lack of calcium bc they feed mostly on sharks. It's bs to keep them in captivity.


Double_Distribution8

Zoos that have these are few and far between nowadays so you hardly ever see them because these guys can jump about a dozen and three quarters (at least) feet high so they have to keep the walls at least that high plus a little extra, with an electric fence (just a shock, nothing crazy) on top between the parapets cuz these guys are jumpers and runners and they also aren't as dumb as they look, they know exactly what they're doing, and they even know what you're doing most of the time, especially in a zoo scenario where things are on a schedule and the officials are usually always the same people.


wang-chuy

They have a few at the SD Zoo in the same closure as anteaters. The enclosure has really high walls and sunken below the walk way. I told my daughter it was a jackelope. Bad daddy…


Pleasant_Yak5991

There’s so many animals that you can find in neighborhoods or near trails that are not afraid of people. Why would they be? Hikers are normally respectful and not attacking them. Sometimes they have food. Mountain goats at 12,000 ft will walk up to hikers.


BigNorseWolf

I had a porcupine in a state park trundle up to me where I was sitting. It was early spring, so i pulled some shoots down for him (is it feeding the wildlife if you're handing them natural food that's right there?) Yes I pet him. And yes it was worth it.


AlexandriaLitehouse

If I were a porcupine I would not be afraid of a single damn fool on this planet. I am also incredibly jealous of your dangerous animal Snow White-ism.


perseidot

Porcupines have awesome personalities! They’re very playful, curious, and not afraid of much. One of my favorite animals to encounter!


cdnsalix

All the porcupines I've interacted with have the personality of Archie Bunker.


Excellent-Play8333

EDITH


cdnsalix

Ohhhhhh Awwwwwwchie!


BigNorseWolf

Most of the other ones i've seen have been pretty skittish and ran up a tree the second they heard me. Maybe they adapt to parks quickly?


perseidot

They lose their ppl shyness pretty quickly. If there’s one that’s frequently around your home, they’ll get accustomed to you. So I bet they also habituate to parks - especially if people feed them. Which is why we shouldn’t feed them.


sleepyboy76

They make the cutest sounds too!


perseidot

They do! They squeak and whuffle.


domesticatedwolf420

A few years ago I was in a beautiful clearing on the Llano River near Junction, TX with my back against a century-old pecan tree, smoking a bowl and having a peaceful evening. A light grey porcupine snuck up behind me and I didn't see it until it was about 10 feet away. If you're not ready for it, a big porky is maybe the most terrifying and ghastly thing that you can possibly encounter in the woods! After we startled each other, we parted peacefully.


BustinBroncos

Did he make those adorable porcupine sounds? That is definitely someone’s pet… Any way you can go back and get it? It won’t stand a chance against predators!


Mean_Yellow_7590

They’re just brave


zeke235

We have donkeys here. There are specific areas where you can find ones that'll accept a pet, but definitely don't just go up to every donkey in the state you see and think they're good with it.


PookieCat415

That said, I love the donkeys who end up with personalities of a dog. I have seen some that start calling when the see or hear their favorite human and run up like a dog.


Weird-Breakfast-7259

They are so curious fun protective and mean if you make them angry


Parabolic_Penguin

Ooh where do you live that you have donkeys?


zeke235

Arizona.


Boysenberry377

Mtn goats will eat your shirt for the salt.


unsubix

This happened before and a local wildlife sanctuary had lost him.


Bosca11

Was it this post from Oregon? https://www.reddit.com/r/animalid/s/sgVOOf1XLq


unsubix

Yeah, I made a comment about two incidents, but it got buried in the comments section.


doctapeppa

Absolutely not a common pet, no.


bluecrowned

You used to be able to buy them at a local pet store here before it closed bc the owner was caught trading a monkey for the services of a prostitute. Wild fucking store that was.


Bear3090

That's a story I need the lore on lol


bluecrowned

Here ya go https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna561031


HondoGonzo

Hold up. You buried the part where he paid with a monkey AND stolen Girl Scout cookie money! Holy shit!


Hellie1028

Classy!


katfofo

Don't forget the laptop computer! Sounds like she made out pretty nice


Weird-Library-3747

I don’t think I’ve seen those words put together before


Consistent_Pickle580

Phew I needed that I thought he was prostituting a monkey 🐒 lol


Warm_sniff

Pet stores are so evil


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Zakattk1027

Homie…..that’s no monkey….


bluecrowned

Yea I forgot what kind of primate it was


Eric-Stratton

All things considered, this has to be one of the wildest stories (or at least premise for a story) that I’ve seen in my 10+ years on Reddit. **“An Oregon man is accused of tipping a prostitute with an exotic primate swiped from his own pet store along with stolen Girl Scout cookie money and a laptop computer.”** Edit: the premise for the guys arrest (a meth DUI in the parking lot of a Police building) are equally wild but, somehow, unrelated "McClain was ‘observed exiting the adult porn shop next door and he appeared to be under the influence of methamphetamine,’ the police said.”


Justice_Prince

Damn looks like the store closed. I was kind of hoping they were still going after that.


bluecrowned

They relocated briefly and then closed for good. They were not a good pet store.


perseidot

No, but they were certainly an interesting one! Call Netflix. I think we may have just found the sequel to Tiger King.


YNGWZRD

"The amount of Girl Scout cookie money was not disclosed." "... state police apprehended him outside one of their office building parking lots..... the suspect exited a porn shop next door... high on methamphetamine." "The prostitute... who was found with the primate... was cooperative with detectives." I wanna move to Oregon and write news articles.


LoudLloyd9

That would make an interesting story


Remarkable-Reward403

My grandfather had a chimp in the 70s. He lived in Lake Stevens Washington, a logging town NE of Seattle. Hated that thing, I was scared of it.


bluecrowned

Rightfully so! Don't watch Nope.


outsidepointofvi3w

"Wild fucking store" So there's a chance the monkey was also a prostitute? I'm asking for a friend of course. We wouldn't want another like epidemic right ? I mean who would want to make sweet love for ona monkey anyways. That would be cool asy right ,?.uh I mean who would want meaningless sex with a monkey right. That's what it would be I mean. Ya know what I'm gonna ... Yeah thanks never mind ....


bluecrowned

You're the one who started COVID aren't you?


outsidepointofvi3w

Every batpig needs love !


Shyshadow20

I live here and remember that, wow it was insane.


notfromchicago

I'd probably suck a dick for a monkey and I'm straight as shit.


A_Possum_Named_Steve

Monkey here: Go on...


sinncab6

I ain't getting tricked by no goddamn possum again.


AudioxBlood

If it's still there, consider contacting a wildlife place or the pipsqueakery in Indiana. They have a herd of patagonians.


SunPtah

Yes indeed. It is a rodent indigenous to southern Argentina. Sharing a great resemblance to Capybara. I agree It must have gotten loose. It seems familiar with people. I hope they find it quick. That region has eagles and coyotes among other things for such a creature to last long out there. Unless it masters the art of hiding.


poopinion

Ok, because I'm from the general area and I have ever seen anything like that. It does act like a lost dog though.


DumbNTough

I was gonna say Jackalope, but I think you might be right


Blessed_Ennui

I'm so glad to see I wasn't the only one. I saw this and pulled a DiCaprio pointing at the screen 🤣 Jackalope was my first thought despite knowing they aren't real.


DonktorDonkenstein

Come on, don't get silly... Jackalopes have antlers! 


SomeKindaWonderer

We had one that escaped and got hit by a car. The guy that hit it actually stopped and called the Game Warden. When the Game Warden didn't know what it was (they actually thought it was a Jackalope lol), they called my mom. She was like, "I know exactly what it is! It's my Patagonian Cavy!" 😕


Money-Jury-3429

Looks alot like a hare


AccomplishedClub6

More likely let loose after owners realized wild animals do not behave like pets and are a lot more work to deal with.


Gog_the_bear

That thing should not be there 🤔


Bean-Swellington

Could be part of the international wildlife exchange program


sas223

Summer abroad program.


IAmBoring_AMA

Comes home with an accent and strong opinions about how bad America’s train system is


Imaneight

Rumspringa rodent


Gog_the_bear

Oh yeah my bad, you’ve caught me speaking before thinking again


Sad_Safety4880

It belongs in a museum!


SwordieLotus

Thanks for all the info. I may send this video in to the local park service or news anchor. Sounds like it shouldn’t be here. In any case we will report the sighting to the authorities.


SwordieLotus

Update: the local park rangers returned our email and told us that it seems someone released one in the nearby area. It was spotted by a ranger as well.


SemperSimple

So strange, haha. Was there nothing to be done about it? The rangers were just like "Yupe, we saw it too!" ??


SwordieLotus

They told us to keep an eye out! I’m assuming they plan to catch it? A little sparse on information that’s for sure.


Extension-Border-345

wouldnt be surprised if its a dumped pet


RtGShadow

Why are people so cruel and stupid?


Flashy-Protection424

Because with 8 billion people, 4 billion will be below average in terms of intelligence. 3 billion will need to think hard to wipe their ass . Whom ever let this critter out was one of them .


I_Makes_tuff

7% of American ADULTS think chocolate milk comes from brown cows. Think about that.


Legitimate_Sample108

What about coffee milk ?


Neon_Sternum

Lightly roasted cows


sshwifty

Dark brown cows, obviously


Th3-Dude-Abides

Considering that 54% of Americans read below a sixth grade level, I am surprised this statistic is not higher.


Panamajack1001

This is how trump was elected


Sheetascastle

They likely are able to put out traps, but just chasing it down like a dog chaser in a cartoon isn't something they're gonna do. If they can figure out it's sighted locations, they can improve on where they attempt to trap it.


echochilde

Poor baby. I hope they find it and get it to a sanctuary.


louglome

Lol to a news anchor News anchor: This was seen today. I have no further info.


artsy7fartsy

Honestly if you sent this to Kyle Clark it would undoubtedly end up on NEXT


Cuckoo4BancroftPuffs

"So, Patagonian Mara, just to be clear, are you apologizing for blocking the mountain biking trail or for being in the completely wrong part of the world?"


pancakesfordintonite

I commented on another comment higher up, but I live in the same town in Washington State someone found a kinkajou at a rest stop last week. Authorities came and got it and it's now at a zoo near Tacoma


_lev1athan

OP, did you guys call the wildlife office in the area? They will want to go out and get this little guy. Poor thing looks like it doesn't know how to be wild. I hope it's still alive!


SwordieLotus

We are contacting local offices and wildlife sanctuaries right now. This was seen only a couple of hours ago, so hopefully there is time.


_lev1athan

Excellent! You all rock! This will not only likely save this poor little dude's life but also protect your local ecosystem! The way it was acting, it definitely seems used to humans


RunnyEggy

Yay! Thanks!


unsubix

There have been a few posts of escaped Patagonian cavy/Maras: [Tennessee](https://www.reddit.com/r/animalid/s/FHvKs1bsTp) [Washington state](https://www.reddit.com/r/animalid/s/3lICiVDj8D) See if a zoo or sanctuary near you is missing one!


SwordieLotus

Thanks for the information! We’ll see if there are local reserves


KregThaGerk

Escape artists 🤔


Keanugrieves16

I remember the Washington state one, the owner was a redditor, I thought we were taking this ride again!


TamaraHensonDragon

Poor little sweetheart, he looks so lost. I am glad you called someone to help this little dude. I have 3 guinea pigs and have a soft spot for their long legged cousins who want to be deer.


Parking_Train8423

> looks so lost is Argentina this way, or


Shiningmokuroh

Only place I can find nearby with cavies is the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Maybe notify them that you saw one just in case? Plus if it is an escaped/abandoned pet they could take the little one in


jeepnut24

That’s at least an hour plus drive. If it escaped from there, that’s an impressive walk!


damagedprawdukt

Being obviously a prey animal and not afraid of your approach shows pretty much that it's someone's escaped pet


Lycanwolf617-

Sad, I hope his owner finds him. Report all sightings is what I would suggest.


mothwhimsy

That's a Mara and it shouldn't be there


LaMadreDelCantante

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie.. That's a mara


Bean-Swellington

Maybe it’s got a permit.


mothwhimsy

"I can go where I want" -Patagonian Mara


Mobile-Worldliness38

“Whateva Whateva I do what I want!!” Patagonian Mara on Maury Povich. Spoken to embarrassed keeper.


Big-Net-9971

I was going to joke that it's a jackalope... but the "cavy" seems more likely (and I would assume it's somebody's escaped pet or livestock.)


csharpwarrior

I had to scroll too far to find Jackalope….


Smiley11-

It’s a Patagonian Mara, and not good pets. They chew through walls in homes and dig through or under gates. I volunteer at a sanctuary where we have them.


Tvisted

A big rodent, looks like a Patagonian mara *Dolichotis patagonum*... not native to Colorado.


RedRedVVine

Poor animal


RIPRBG

Please report it to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.


Popular-Capital6330

Some kind of Cavy. Definitely not a "wild" animal. I hope someone gets it to safety-they're a prey animal and it won't live long without intervention.


NoWish4521

As other people have pointed out, it is a mara. They are free-range at the Buenos Aires zoo.


StickyDogJefferson

That’s a Patagonian Mara. Either an escapee or someone let it run when they got tired of taking care of it.


ImportantAd3913

That is a Mara! What the heck is it doing in Colorado?


Led_Zeppole_73

The highly elusive Jackelope.


OldButHappy

A juvenile (no horns, yet)


indymama21

It's a Patagonian mara


ryan_unalux

Looks like a capybara jack rabbit deer


PocketFullOfRondos

Almost looks like a capybara face


FioreCiliegia1

Uhhh thats a patagonian cavy… why on earth os it there!


YummyLanden

Patagonian mara, native to central & southern Argentina. It’s a large rodent.


chibinoi

As u/indymama21 said, this is a Patagonian mara. I’m wondering if it’s an escaped zoo animal like u/treynoldsCO proposed, or someone’s escaped or lost exotic pet, as u/Slalom_Smack suggested.


Excellent_Fail9908

That is so sad that some jerkoff thought he could have a ‘cool pet’ then tossed him to the wild when he didn’t expire in his time frame. This poor animal looks scared and like he’d welcome a hand like the one that’s fed him for so long. Such a bummer. I’m sad for this lil dude.


SomeDudeInGermany

That’s a Patagonian Mara.


grb13

Patagonian cavy imo


spunangel333

Poor thing some Ahole dumps it …probably doesn’t know how to get food for itself …so sad


Internal_Ad_255

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patagonian_mara


dearjets

Poor thing.


Chele11713

Might have been an illegal exotic pet? Kind of fits the description of a Chevrotain or a Mara? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrotain https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/patagonian-mara#:~:text=Patagonian%20maras%20are%20long%2Dlegged,around%20the%20flanks%20and%20head.


Relational-Computer

Patagonia rabbit. Likely a lost pet. If you can catch it and put up flyers that may help the owner. Or call parks and rec and see if they have any interest in catching it.


ElectronicAnt3832

100% a hornless Jackalope.


Surreply

https://www.thesprucepets.com/patagonian-cavy-care-1239554


[deleted]

[удалено]


M23707

good work! - it is definitely a Mara maybe broke out of a wildlife park, someone’s “pet” It sure seems comfortable around humans ..


got-to-be-real

Looks like a Patagonian Mara, The Patagonian mara is a relatively large rodent in the mara genus Dolichotis. It is also known as the Patagonian cavy, Patagonian hare, or dillaby. This herbivorous, somewhat rabbit-like animal is found in open and semiopen habitats in Argentina, including large parts of Patagonia.


hondac55

If this is truly in Colorado you should report it. Introducing non-native species to wild habitats can be disastrous. Not only cruel on the animal itself but very very cruel to the environment and native species. Depending on where you're at, I'd look at the following options, in order: Contact a nearby zoo if there is one and ask if they have an escaped Patagonian mara, and tell them the coordinates where you saw it if so. Contact Colorado Parks and Wildlife and tell them you spotted a non-native species in the wild. And ask them if they intend to do anything about it, then tell them you're going to call animal control if not. Animal control will probably be the ones to deal with the animal regardless, so you could theoretically just contact them and give them the coordinates. But I'd want to let the zoo know just in case, and let CPW know because they could be dealing with an infestation and it'd be good to have a first report on record of when it occurred and where, so as to make controlling its spread much easier. These are rodents. They produce several litters every year and can be impregnated by 6 months.


SwordieLotus

Thanks for the tips. Last night after I posted this, I was actually dmed through Reddit by a Colorado wildlife officer, who told me that a search was beginning in the area for the Mara. So thankfully I think they intend to find it!


vacantalien

It’s why it sat there wondering if you’d help it


righty95492

It looked like it was fine with humans. Did it want to gravitate towards you? Or was that just filmed from a long distance?


SPECTRE-Agent-No-13

Report it to DNR


Jaimemgn

That's wild!


SLYRisbey

It’s adorable!


TheSmoothOperator21

This is the first time I have ever heard of a Patagonian Cavy, amazing video thank you!!


treynoldsCO

I think the Denver Zoo better do an inventory check


ConsciousBandicoot53

Which trail?! I live just up the hill and want my daughter to see this crazy looking thing!


Strong_Shock2687

The elusive jackalope


YenZen999

We've got a big time invasive species problem because of dumbasses. A lot of them work in our government. Witness the Chinese carp infestation and the Burmese pythons running wild in Florida. The carp were actually introduced on purpose, the pythons escaped during hurricane Andrew. Both are devastating to the ecosystem.


Radiant_Particular88

That’s a kangadeer baby.


gligster71

Some kind of greyhound bunny deer horse looking thing.


PenguinsFly_

Patagonian Mara I searched capybara looking deer and it came up straight away 😂


Underpathdrunkenguy

It’s a rabbit kangaroo dog


No-Finger-6835

Did you walk through an old man's wardrobe and end up in a beautiful forest?


HeroTooZero

Female jackalope


jcyree2769

As some have posted, a Patagonian Mara. Confirmed by reverse image search.


FeefNutz

Lived here my entire life and never seen anything like that. But it looks like a rabbit, deer and goat got together and had a threesome.


Someoneinnowherenow

Whatever it is, it has a nice skirt


TaintedAngelx2

Patagonian mara


Airport_Wendys

Omg that’s a Mara!


Its_J_Just_J

Looks like a Jackalope after shedding.


Gibder16

Your dog?


20moonstone10

I feel like this is the spawn of a kangaroo and a rabbit


Alarmed_West8689

Jackalope


Time-Ad7233

Looks like a Patagonian mara


FlaminFlabbarghast

Thats Mountain Lion food for sure.


ConversationAble1438

Should be in South America I think.


Hour_Friendship_7960

She needs to pull her skirt down a little bit in back


nuffinimportant

It's a jackalope. I've seen them in Nevada when horseback riding several times.


Its_that_one_dude281

It is a Patagonia-Mara https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/patagonian-mara


User_Interface_Scare

Its a jackalope


No-Actuator-3209

A jackalope that just shed his horns


RMski

Send the video to Denver stations - this is absolutely wild.