vizcachera

burrow

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 16, 2026

Quick Summary

The term "vizcachera" refers to a complex of burrows dug by the plains viscacha, a South American rodent. These burrows, also known as vizcacheras, are elaborate underground systems created by the plains viscacha using its forelegs. The entrances are often marked with piles of various objects, including sticks, stones, and bones.12

There are four species of viscachas, which are rodents similar to chinchillas. Three species, known as mountain viscachas, inhabit the Andes Mountains and live in rocky areas, where they are agile climbers but poor diggers. The plains viscacha, however, is a nocturnal burrower found in grasslands. The burrows dug by plains viscachas can be hazardous to humans and livestock.2

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

5 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

viscacha
…digs elaborate burrow systems called vizcacheras with its forelegs, pushing the soil away with its nose and marking the entrances with piles of anything it can carry, including sticks, stones, bones, dung, and other objects. Although it will eat any vegetation, seeds and grasses are preferred, which makes the viscacha…
Read More
…digs elaborate burrow systems called vizcacheras with its forelegs, pushing the soil away with its nose and marking the entrances with piles of anything it can carry, including sticks, stones, bones, dung, and other objects. Although it will eat any vegetation, seeds and grasses are preferred, which makes the viscacha…
Read More