|
|---|
Warning: Undefined property: stdClass::$Photo1 in /var/www/vhosts/virtualzoo/classifications/display.php on line 584
| Subspecies: | Unknown |
|---|---|
| Est. World Population: | U |
| CITES Status: | NOT LISTED |
| IUCN Status: | Least Concern |
| U.S. ESA Status: | NOT LISTED |
| Body Length: | |
| Tail Length: | |
| Shoulder Height: | |
| Weight: | |
| Top Speed: | |
| Jumping Ability: | (Horizontal) |
| Life Span: | in the Wild |
| Life Span: | in Captivity |
| Sexual Maturity: | (Females) |
| Sexual Maturity: | (Males) |
| Litter Size: | |
| Gestation Period: | |
Habitat:
The subspecies pennata inhabits steppe, shrubland, shrub-steppe and mallines (successional wetlands with bog, meadows and ponds) (Bellis et al. 2006), up to 1,500 m, generally breeding in upland areas with bunch-grass (del Hoyo et al. 1992). The northern subspecies tarapacensis and garleppi inhabit deserts, salt puna, pumice flats, upland bogs and tola (Lepidophyllum) heath in altiplano at 3,000-4,500 m, down to 2,000 m in the eastern part of the range, and as low as 1,220 m in La Rioja (Argentina), where it frequents the monte desert ecosystem unique to Argentina (M. Pearman in litt. 2014).
It is typically found in groups of 5-30 individuals, with a male always accompanied by several females. During the breeding season the females lay up to 50 eggs in a single nest, which the male alone incubates. The species is fully herbivorous, feeding on leaves of herbs and shrub, fruits and seeds of grass (Marinero et al. 2017).
It is typically found in groups of 5-30 individuals, with a male always accompanied by several females. During the breeding season the females lay up to 50 eggs in a single nest, which the male alone incubates. The species is fully herbivorous, feeding on leaves of herbs and shrub, fruits and seeds of grass (Marinero et al. 2017).
Range:
Rhea pennata ranges from southern Peru to Patagonia in Chile. The nominate subspecies pennata is found from the Strait of Magellan and southern Chile to south-central Argentina. The subspecies tarapacensis is found in northern Chile, while the subspecies garleppi occurs from southern Peru through south-western Bolivia to north-western Argentina. A very small population of subspecies pennata was introduced to northern Tierra del Fuego (Schmitt et al. 2022).
Conservation:
Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix I (except nominate subspecies, which is on Appendix II). There has apparently been a captive breeding programme in Peru but it is not certain whether this has continued (J. Barrio in litt. 2014). It occurs in at least three national parks in Argentina (M. Pearman in litt. 2014). The species is listed as Critically Endangered at the national level in Peru (SERFOR 2018), as Vulnerable in Argentina (MAyDS and AA 2017) and as Endangered in Chile.Conservation Actions Proposed
Quantify the population size. Monitor the population trend.
Maintain "mallín" (meadow) habitats in adequate condition as nesting sites (Bellis et al. 2006; Barri et al. 2008a, 2009). Prevent illegal hunting and egg-collecting, while developing alternative sustainable harvesting programmes (Barri et al. 2008a). Harvest "orphan eggs" (eggs sporadically laid outside nests) for use in captive breeding and reintroduction programmes (Barri et al. 2008b). Develop campaigns to raise awareness and reduce hunting, egg-collecting and the domestication of wild immature birds.
CITES Appendix I (except nominate subspecies, which is on Appendix II). There has apparently been a captive breeding programme in Peru but it is not certain whether this has continued (J. Barrio in litt. 2014). It occurs in at least three national parks in Argentina (M. Pearman in litt. 2014). The species is listed as Critically Endangered at the national level in Peru (SERFOR 2018), as Vulnerable in Argentina (MAyDS and AA 2017) and as Endangered in Chile.Conservation Actions Proposed
Quantify the population size. Monitor the population trend.
Maintain "mallín" (meadow) habitats in adequate condition as nesting sites (Bellis et al. 2006; Barri et al. 2008a, 2009). Prevent illegal hunting and egg-collecting, while developing alternative sustainable harvesting programmes (Barri et al. 2008a). Harvest "orphan eggs" (eggs sporadically laid outside nests) for use in captive breeding and reintroduction programmes (Barri et al. 2008b). Develop campaigns to raise awareness and reduce hunting, egg-collecting and the domestication of wild immature birds.