One of the 2 hutias on WAnimals
Mammals · Rodentia · Capromyidae
Desmarest's Hutia
Capromys pilorides
Least Concern
The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk.
Desmarest's hutia is the largest rodent in Cuba and the most abundant native land mammal on the island. It is a robust caviomorph with a brown coat and a short tail, which climbs with ease and spends much of its time in trees and mangroves. It feeds on leaves, fruit, bark and occasionally small animals. Unlike most Caribbean hutias, which died out after colonisation, this one has held up well and is common on cays and in protected areas.
Weight
3 kg – 8.5 kg
Size
30 cm – 50 cm
Life expectancy
11 years
