Hutia

Hutiaconga ( Capromys pilorides )

• Zwerghutias ( Mesocapromys )
• Langschwanzhutias ( Mysateles )
• Hutiaconga ( Capromys )
• Piglets rats ( Geocapromys )
• Zagutis ( Plagiodontia )

The tree rats, as Hutias or Jutias known ( Capromyidae ), are one of the Caribbean islands endemic living rodent family from the subordination of the porcupine relatives ( Hystricomorpha ). Due to their small living space, this group is very much affected by the extinction of species, of the more than 25 species that were still alive 5000 years ago, today there are only 13 more the also extinct Riesenhutias ( Heptaxodontidae ) are managed as separate family.

Dissemination

Tree rats live in Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola and the Bahamas, but many species have only a highly restricted area of ​​distribution. Until the arrival of the people they were next to Riesenhutias, Caribbean shrews, and bats Schlitzrüsslern the only mammals of these islands.

Description

These animals look similar to large, thick-headed rats, with where they are, however, not closely related. They have stocky bodies, the wide head with small eyes and ears sitting on a short neck. The short limbs each terminating in five toes, which are provided with curved claws. Their fur is thick, its color varies from gray to brown. The tail length varies considerably depending on the type. Tree rats reach a body length of 20 to 50 centimeters and a weight of up to 9 kilograms.

Way of life

Tree rats live in forests and mountainous regions. In addition to ground-dwelling species, there are also partly arboreal animals. Their diet consists mainly of plants together, others will also take insects and even small vertebrates to himself. Procreation is characterized by long gestation periods and highly volatile nest hatchlings.

Threat

Tree rats are highly endangered because of their small distribution area. The reasons for the threat lie in the destruction of their habitat, the hunting and competition by introduced mammals, such as rats. Of the 13 surviving species are five threatened by the IUCN as strong ( critically endangered ) listed, and only one type, the Hutiaconga, is considered to be relatively common.

System

There are five living species of tree rats:

• The Zwerghutias ( Mesocapromys ) include four species, all of which are highly endangered. You almost only live on offshore islands of Cuba.
• The Langschwanzhutias ( Mysateles ) consist of five species found in Cuba and the offshore Isla de la Juventud.
• The Hutiaconga ( Capromys pilorides ) is the only relatively common Baumrattenart. Their home is also Cuba.
• The piglets rats ( Geocapromys ) still comprise two types, one of which lives in Jamaica and the Bahamas.
• The Zagutis ( Plagiodontia ) with an indigenous to the island of Hispaniola living and two extinct species.

Among the extinct genera include:

• Hexolobodon Phenax lived in Hispaniola and resembled the Hutiaconga. It died from probably 1000 to 3000 years ago.
• Rhizoplagiodonta lemkei was closely related to the Zagutis and also occurred on Hispaniola. It survived until shortly after the arrival of Europeans.
• The two types of Isolobodon lived on Hispaniola, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Fossil records indicate that it was introduced by Native Americans as a food source for several of these islands. The last animals died out in the 20th century, but there is always unconfirmed reports of sightings.