#cuniculidae

[all-mammal-creechur]

Spotted Paca Cuniculus paca

Found in tropical and sub-tropical America, from east-central Mexico to northern Argentina. Its Aztec name is tepezcuintle.

It is mostly nocturnal and solitary and does not vocalize very much. It lives in forested habitats near water, preferably smaller rivers, and dig simple burrows about 2 m (6 ft 7 in) below the surface. The lowland paca is a good swimmer and usually heads for the water to escape danger, as it can stay under water for several minutes.

img source

[have-you-seen-this-animal]

Idk if it has already been requested, but you could do the Paca! It's like if a rat was long and strange looking.

It hasn't been requested yet, I'll do the whole family!

Have you seen a paca (Family: Cuniculidae)?

I have now

Yes, in photos/videos

Yes, irl

I'm not sure

Voting ended onApr 30

Both of the individuals pictured in this post are spotted pacas.

[morgansram]

Paca X

[morgansram]

Paca X

[saritawolf]

Lowland Paca (Cuniculus paca) - (c) SaritaWolf - please do not repost

[saritawolf]

Lowland Paca (Cuniculus paca) - (c) SaritaWolf - please do not repost

[astronomy-to-zoology]

Lowland Paca (Cuniculus paca)

also known as the spotted paca, the lowland paca is a large species of cuniculid rodent that occurs from east-central mexico to northern Argentina. Lowland pacas are mostly nocturnal and solitary. They typically inhabit areas near water as they are good swimmers. Like other rodents C. paca feeds mostly on roots, leaves, fruits, seeds and other plant matter. 

Although Cuniculus paca is currently listed as least concern it is considered an agricultural pest and its meat is highly prized causing its numbers to be greatly reduced. It is still plentiful in protected habitats and is not in danger of extinction. 

Classification

Animalia-Chordata-Mammalia-Rodentia-Cuniculidae-Cuniculus-C. paca

Images: Rogel Baptiste and Hans Hillewaert