Rabbit-like animal from South America spotted in Bear Creek Lake Park

DENVER (KDVR) — A rabbit-like South American animal called the Patagonian mara was spotted in Bear Creek Lake Park, FOX31 has learned.

The park is in Lakewood, just east of Colorado Highway 470 and north of U.S. 285. According to the city of Lakewood, park rangers and visitors have reported encounters.

The Smithsonian's National Zoo says Patagonian maras are native to central and southern Argentina. They can weigh between 17 and 35 pounds when fully grown and are on average 27 inches long.

While it may at first appear to be a large rabbit, the mara can move by walking, hopping, galloping or stotting, which the National Zoo says is when an animal hops on all four limbs.

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