By Payton Tholstrup

Picture Courtesy of Facebook

The Clay Center Zoo has a few new residents; Patagonian Cavies.

The Patagonian cavy is a large rodent species that can be found in the arid grasslands of Central and Southern Argentina.

 These cavies have long legs, allowing them to reach speeds of 20-25 miles per hour. This helps them evade predators like foxes and carnivorous birds.

The Patagonian Cavies have an odd appearance and are often mistaken for large rabbits or small deer. However, they are relatives of the Guinea Pig.

You can stop in and see the new residents of the zoo during their hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.