Geocapromys

Jamaica piglets rat

The piglets rats ( Geocapromys ), also called stump-tailed Hutias, a rodent genus of the family tree rats ( Capromyidae ). Of the once five species that occurred on the Caribbean islands, only two are now living in Jamaica and the Bahamas.

Features

Piglets rats are externally rat-like animals that are like all tree rats characterized by the relatively powerful header. The coloring of the short, dense fur varies from yellowish gray to brown to almost black, the underside is always brighter. The short tail is barely pubescent, the ears are small and rounded. Piglets rats reach a body length from 33 to 45 centimeters, a tail length of 3-6 centimeters and a weight of 1 to 2 kg.

Way of life

Piglets rats are exclusively nocturnal. During the day they rest in crevices or burrows. At night, they go in search of food, where they can climb well and climb rocks or trees. They live solitary, but show little aggression towards other dogs. The food of these animals is composed of bark, twigs and leaves.

Once or twice a year, the female gives birth after a 120 - day gestation, one to three pups. These are marked precocial and take a few days after the birth of solid food.

The types

• The Jamaica piglets rat ( Geocapromys brownii ) is endemic to Jamaica. The stocks have fallen by the destruction of habitat in the 20th century, the IUCN lists the species as endangered ( vulnerable ).
• The Bahamian pig rat ( Geocapromys ingrahami ) was probably previously distributed to the entire Bahamas, but now lives only on the island of East Plana Cay. The stock is estimated at 6000-12000 animals, this species is considered endangered ( vulnerable ).
• The Swan Islands Piglet rat ( Geocapromys thoracatus ) lived on the Swan Islands, a group of islands belonging to Honduras in the Caribbean. Presumably, the animals of other piglets rats come from, who were brought by Indians 5,000 to 7,000 years ago to the islands. Until the 20th century they were often, a hurricane and the enactment by introduced cats attended but the mid-20th century for the extinction of the species.
• Geocapromys columbianus and Geocapromys pleistocenicus lived in Cuba and are also extinct, what the hunting by humans might be responsible. While G. columbianus should have probably survived until after the arrival of Europeans to Cuba, G. pleistocenicus is probably extinct already.