Jamaica piglet rat
| Jamaica piglet rat | ||||||||||||
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Jamaican piglet-rat, stuffed specimen with faded fur |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Geocapromys brownii | ||||||||||||
| ( J. Fischer , 1829) |
The Jamaican piglet rat ( Geocapromys brownii ) is a rodent in the sting rat family that is endemic to Jamaica . The epithet in the scientific name honors Patrick Browne , who wrote a treatise on the natural history of Jamaica.
features
With a head-torso length of 33 to 44.5 cm, a 3.5 to 6.4 cm long tail, which is partially hidden in the fur, and a weight of 1 to 2 kg, the species is roughly the same size a cottontail rabbit . It is characterized by a robust build, a blunt muzzle and short legs. Compared to the other piglet rats, the species is larger, has a darker coat color, a shorter tail, smaller eyes and ears that are smaller in relation to the body. The top hairs on the top are black with a short reddish brown to golden brown section near the tip, resulting in a dark reddish brown to black coat color. The underside is covered with gray-brown fur. Dandruff and short hair appear on the short tail . Like the body, it is black on the top and gray-brown on the underside.
The Jamaican piglet-rat has a strong, curved incisor with a yellow-orange color in each half of its jaw, no canines, a premolar and three molar teeth. The molars grow constantly and have no roots.
distribution
This rodent is found in Jamaica with several separate populations in the hill country and mountain country. It can be found in karst regions that offer many natural hiding spots in the form of crevices and tunnels.
Way of life
The behavior of the species is mainly known from studies on specimens kept in captivity. Observations in the wild are very rare. The Jamaican piglet-rat is almost exclusively nocturnal and feeds on parts of plants such as roots, fruits, bark, leaves and young shoots. There are smaller family groups with two to six individuals who use a hiding place together. Presumably the sleeping place is not upholstered. Despite its clumsy shape, the species can climb surprisingly well. It climbs low hanging branches with the help of its teeth.
In laboratory animals, females were ready to mate at different times of the year. Some specimens had three litters a year. After a gestation of about 123 days, one or two young animals are usually born, rarely triplets. Females reached sexual maturity after about a year and males a little later. The maximum life expectancy is around 8 years.
status
The species is threatened by landscape changes and hunting. Some specimens fall victim to dogs and mongooses introduced by humans . The IUCN lists the Jamaican piglet rat as endangered ( Vulnerable ) due to its limited range .
swell
- Anderson, Sidney (1983): Geocapromys brownii. In: Mammalian Species . No. 201, pp. 1-5.
- Geocapromys brownii in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2016 Posted by: Turvey, S. & Dávalos, L., 2008. Accessed March 3, 2017th
- Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Eds.): Mammal Species of the World . A taxonomic and geographic Reference . 3. Edition. 2 volumes. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 (English, Geocapromys brownii ).
- Erica Raffo: Brown's hutia on the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology 's Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved March 3, 2017.