Mesocapromys

The Cabrera - tree rat ( Mesocapromys angelcabrerai ) also belongs to the genus Zwerghutias

The Zwerghutias ( Mesocapromys ) is a rodent genus of the family tree rats ( Capromyidae ). The four still living species of these genera live in Cuba and islands and threatened with extinction.

General

Zwerghutias resemble the Hutiaconga and were formerly in the same genus ( Capromys ) classified, but are much smaller. They reach a body length 21-30 cm and a tail length of 18 to 21 centimeters. They resemble thick-headed rats, their fur is dark brown or black.

Over the life of these animals, little is known, their habitats are swamps and marshes.

Although the four species are protected, they are threatened by habitat destruction and by introduced black rats. All four species are " critically endangered " by the IUCN ( critically endangered ) listed.

Species

• The Cabrera - tree rat ( Mesocapromys angelcabrerai ) lives on the island Cayos de Ana Maria off the southern coast of Cuba, and possibly on the adjacent mainland.
• The long-eared Tree Rat ( Mesocapromys auritus ) is only on the island of Cayo Fragoso ago off the north coast of Cuba.
• The dwarf tree rat ( Mesocapromys nanus ) lives on the Zapata Peninsula in the province of Matanzas. The animals themselves have not been sighted since the 1930s, but there are recent discoveries of footprints and feces, suggesting that the species might still be alive.
• The San Felipe Tree Rat ( Mesocapromys sanfelipensis ') is endemic to the island of Cayo Juan Garcia before the Cuban southwest coast.

A number of other species is only known from skeletal remains, they are all made extinct. These include M. beatrizae, M. gracilis, M. minimus and M. silvai.