Hutiaconga
| Hutiaconga | ||||||||||||
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Hutiaconga ( Capromys pilorides ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name of the genus | ||||||||||||
| Capromys | ||||||||||||
| Say , 1822 | ||||||||||||
| Scientific name of the species | ||||||||||||
| Capromys pilorides | ||||||||||||
| Say, 1822 |
The Hutiaconga, also known as the prong-tailed piglet rat or Cuba tree rat, ( Capromys pilorides ) is a rodent from the family of the spiny rats (Echimyidae). It is probably the best known and most common representative of the subfamily of the tree rats (Capromyinae).
distribution
Hutiacongas live in Cuba and several offshore islands, including Isla de la Juventud .
description
The animals resemble large, stubborn rats in their appearance . They reach a head body length of 30 to 60 centimeters, the tail becomes 14 to 30 centimeters long, and their weight is 3 to 9 kilograms. Their thick, long fur is gray, brownish or black in color. The legs are short, the broad feet have large claws. The stomach is divided into three parts by constrictions.
Way of life
Hutiacongas are widespread in Cuba and inhabit a range of habitats, including mountain forests, arid coastal plains, and mountainous regions. The animals in the north of the island tend to be tree dwellers who also sleep on trees, while the animals in the south of the island are more terrestrial and prefer rock caves as shelter. They can generally climb well, the legs of the animals cause a wobbling gait on the ground, but they can run quickly in the event of a threat. These animals are diurnal and live together in pairs or small groups. The social behavior of the animals includes, among other things, mutual grooming.
food
Hutiacongas are omnivores, in addition to leaves, bark and fruits, they also eat insects and small vertebrates such as lizards.
Reproduction
These animals can reproduce all year round, but the peak of births is in early summer. The gestation period is around 110 to 140 days, the litter size is between one and three, in exceptional cases up to six. Young animals are born with fur and eyes open, they flee the nest. They are suckled for around five months and reach sexual maturity at around 10 months. Life expectancy is estimated at eight to eleven years.
threat
Hutiacongas are the only relatively common members of their family. In some regions they are so common that they are considered a nuisance because they devastate fields and plantations. They are protected by law and they are only allowed to be hunted for two or three months of the year.
Systematics
The Hutiaconga is the only living species in the genus Capromys . The subspecies Capromys pilorides lewisi occurred on the Cayman Islands , but it became extinct around 1700. The genera dwarf hatias ( Mesocapromys ) and long-tailed hatias ( Mysateles ) are sometimes classified in Capromys .
literature
- Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. 2 volumes. 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD et al. 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Morgan, Gary S .; MacPhee, RDE; Woods, Roseina .; Turvey, Sam. Late Quaternary fossil mammals from the Cayman Islands, West Indies. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, 2019
Web links
- Capromys pilorides inthe IUCN 2013 Red List of Endangered Species . Posted by: Soy, J. & Silva, G., 2008. Retrieved December 22, 2013.