Mammals · Rodentia · Dinomyidae

Pacarana

Dinomys branickii

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The pacarana is a large, heavy rodent of the Andean foothills, with dark brown fur flecked with white spots and stripes and a thick, furry tail that tells it apart from the paca, with which it is confused. It is the only survivor of its family. It moves slowly, climbs well and feeds on leaves, stems, fruit and shoots that it holds in its hands while sitting on its haunches. Its slowness and its meat make it easy prey for hunters.

Weight

10 kg – 15 kg

Size

60 cm – 80 cm

Lifespan

13 years

Diet

Herbivore

Feeds mainly on plants.

Activity

Nocturnal

Active mainly at night.

Social structure

In pairs

Usually lives in pairs, sometimes for life.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

RainforestMountainHerbivore Nocturnal In pairs Rainforest Mountain Mammal

6countries 10parks

Fun facts

GeneralA 15 kg rodent, the sole survivor of a family that once included rodents the size of a buffalo.
It is the only living representative of its family, the dinomyids, a group that included the largest rodent that ever lived: Josephoartigasia, the size of a bull.
It moves so slowly and with so little shyness that in many areas it has disappeared simply because it is the easiest animal in the forest to hunt.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (mammal)
Habitat & environment: Montane rainforest and Andean foothill forest, between 250 and 3,200 metres
Sexual maturity: 12 months
Gestation / incubation: 8.3 months
Litter / clutch size: 2

Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinomys_branickii