Surprising invasion in the Dubai desert: Patagonian marmots multiply
In the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Patagonian marmots, whose homeland is Argentina thousands of kilometres away, have begun to be seen. While the number of animals recorded for the first time in 2020 is estimated to have reached about 200, the mystery of how they appeared in the desert remains.
The area around the Al Qudra Lakes, located about 40 kilometres from Dubai city centre, and the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, hosts South American Patagonian mara rabbits. These rodents, noted for their long legs and rabbit‑like appearance, survive by adapting to the desert conditions of the region.
They were first seen during the pandemic period.
The earliest records of Patagonian mara presence around Dubai date back to 2020, the year of the COVID‑19 outbreak. Field surveys conducted in November 2024, however, revealed that several mara groups inhabit the area.
The researchers’ observation of a lactating female with her offspring and juvenile maras demonstrated that the animals not only survive in the region but also begin to reproduce.
Their numbers in the desert may have approached 200.
It is estimated that about 200 Patagonian maras live in the area. However, because no official census has yet been conducted, this figure is not definitive.
Their survival in the desert environment and giving birth to new offspring make the presence of this South American species in Dubai even more striking.
How They Reached the Dubai Desert Is Unknown
The natural habitat of Patagonia maras is Argentina. Therefore, the question of how the animals reached Dubai has not yet been answered.
Experts emphasize the possibility that the maras may have escaped from private properties or facilities that house exotic animals. Jacky Judas, who researches mammals in the United Arab Emirates, also assesses that the animals most likely escaped from places where they were kept in captivity.
The continued proliferation of Patagonia maras in the Dubai desert is attracting researchers' interest in how invasive species settle into new habitats and adapt to these environments.
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