Overview
Distribution
Range Description
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Geographic Range
Capromys pilorides lives only in Cuba and on several, small nearby islands, however they occupy many different habitats throughout Cuba. (Phillips et al. 1991)
Biogeographic Regions: neotropical (Native )
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Physical Description
Morphology
Physical Description
Cuban hutia can range anywhere from 20 to 60 cm in length (varying from individual to individual) and between 1 and 9 kg in weight. Capromys pilorides are the largest species of hutias. They are, on average, 60.96 cm long and 7 kg in weight. Capromys pilorides have short, stocky legs which cause them to move in a "waddling" motion. However, in times when they need to move quickly (like while being chased) they are capable of hopping. Capromys pilorides have thick, coarse fur with the dorsal area generally a darker shade than the ventral side. The shades of fur can vary greatly from black and brown to yellowish shades or even reddish shades. The tail is completely covered with hair and is a solid shade of color. Capromys pilorides have large claws on their feet, which aid in climbing. Cuban hutias and their close relatives (C. garridoi and C. arboricolus) have a complex stomach divided into three compartments, this is the most complex stomach morphology found in rodents. Females have two lateral thoracic pairs of mammae.
(Phillips et al. 1991, Nowak 1999, Alados et al. 1990)
Range mass: 1.000 to 9.000 kg.
Average mass: 7.000 kg.
Average basal metabolic rate: 3.375 W.
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Ecology
Habitat
Habitat and Ecology
Its diet consists of leaves, fruit, bark, reptiles, insects and other small animals. The gestation period is between 110 to 140 days. After this time 1 to 6, but generally 2 fully developed young are born. These are nursed for about 153 days and become sexually mature at the age of 10 months. The life span of the species in captivity is up to 11 years (Alvarez and Gonzalez 1991; Poiez et al. 1992).
Systems
- Terrestrial
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Habitat
Capromys pilorides are widespread throughout all of Cuba. They are found in all types of habitats such as montane cloud forests, arid coastal semi-deserts, semi-deciduous forests, low, marshy areas and even in the mountains of eastern Cuba. Cuban hutias can possibly be divided into two groups: those that live in northern Cuba and those that live in southern Cuba. Those that live in the north tend to live in marshy areas where an abundance of red mangroves grow. This group generally lives in the branches and roots of the mangroves that grow there. However, those in the south tend to be more terrestrial.
(Poiez et al. 1992, Phillips et al. 1991, Alvarez & Gonzalez 1991)
Terrestrial Biomes: forest ; scrub forest ; mountains
Aquatic Biomes: coastal
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Trophic Strategy
Food Habits
Capromys pilorides are omnivores that generally feed on things such as leaves, fruits, and bark from trees. However, they have been known to also feed on small vertebrates, including small lizards.
They have easy access to the vegetation high up in the trees due to their great climbing ability, but the majority of the time they feed on vegetation closer to ground level.
Animal Foods: reptiles; insects
Plant Foods: leaves; wood, bark, or stems; fruit
Primary Diet: omnivore
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Life History and Behavior
Life Expectancy
Lifespan/Longevity
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 11.3 years.
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Lifespan, longevity, and ageing
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Reproduction
Reproduction
The life expectancy of Cuban hutia in captivity ranges from 8 to 11 years. Their breeding season is year round and they have a gestation period of around 120-126 days. Most Cuban hutias have 1-3 young per birth that weigh on average 8 oz at birth. The young are born precocial, able to move around, well-furred, and with their eyes open. Despite the fact that they are born so well developed, they are not completely weaned for approximately 5 months. In addition, they do not reach sexual maturity until they are about 10 months old.
(Phillips et al. 1991)
Range number of offspring: 1 to 3.
Average number of offspring: 1.800.
Range gestation period: 119 to 130 days.
Average gestation period: 123 days.
Average weaning age: 153 days.
Average birth mass: 240 g.
Average number of offspring: 2.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
Sex: male: 304 days.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female: 304 days.
Parental Investment: precocial
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Conservation
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List Assessment
Red List Category
Red List Criteria
Version
Year Assessed
Assessor/s
Reviewer/s
Justification
History
- 1996Lower Risk/least concern(Baillie and Groombridge 1996)
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Conservation Status
The Wild Animals Protection Act of 1968 protects hutias from being captured or killed unless a permit is obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Capromys pilorides are not as much of a conservation concern because there still are some areas that have a high density of this species. The only area where the species population has diminished tremendously is in the mountains of eastern Cuba. However, other species of hutias are endangered or have already gone extinct.
Although they are not of immediate concern, a transplantation has taken place in an effort to ensure the survival of Cuban hutias. This transplantation removed some C. pilorides from East Plan Cay and transplanted them to the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park.
There are also some protected areas where the density of C. pilorides has reached 50-100 individuals per hectare. However, there are still some places where their population has diminished greatly such as in the mountains of eastern Cuba. (Alvarez & Gonzalez 1991)
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
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Trends
Population
Population Trend
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Threats
Threats
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Management
Conservation Actions
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Relevance to Humans and Ecosystems
Benefits
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
Some areas actually have such an abundance of Capromys pilorides that they harm the vegetation of the area. (Alvarez & Gonzalez 1991)
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Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Humans enjoy the meat from Capromys pilorides because it tastes great and since the animal is of substantial size each hutia provides a significant amount of meat. (Phillips et al. 1991)
Positive Impacts: food
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Wikipedia
Desmarest's Hutia
Desmarest's Hutia, Capromys pilorides, also known as the Cuban Hutia, is a species of rodent endemic to Cuba. Weighing up to 8.5 kg (19 lb), it is the largest of the extant species of hutia (the extinct giant hutias were far larger).[2] It is common and the only hutia species that is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.[1]
Contents |
Physical characteristics
Desmarest's Hutia has a head-and-body length of 31–60 cm (12–24 in), a tail that is 14–29 cm (5.5–11 in) long, and weigh 2.8–8.5 kg (6.2–19 lb).[2] It has thick, coarse fur which extends to the tip of the tail. The colour of the body fur varies from black to brown, with a light sand colour and red also seen. The body is stocky and the legs short. It moves with a slow, waddling gait, but can perform a quick hop when pursued. The feet have five toes with large claws which assist the animal in climbing. The stomach is divided into three compartments by constrictions in the gut and is among the most complex of any rodent.[2]
Habitat and distribution
Desmarest's Hutia is found in a wide range of habitats. In northern Cuba, populations tend to be centred around areas where there are abundant mangroves, while southern populations tend to favour a more terrestrial habitat.
Desmarest's Hutia is found only in Cuba, but is widespread throughout its range. They are found on the main island, Isla de la Juventud, the Sabana archipelago, the Doce Laqunas archipelago and many of the other islands and cays of the Cuban archipelago. They are abundant in Guantánamo Province, particularly around the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. In the mountainous areas of eastern Cuba, numbers of Desmarest's Hutia are decreasing.
Behaviour and reproduction
Desmarest's Hutias normally live in pairs, but can be found individually or in small groups. They are diurnal and do not burrow, so during the night they rest in hollows in rocks or trees. They are omnivorous but eat mostly bark, leaves and fruit. Occasionally they will take small vertebrates such as lizards. Both males and females scent mark their territory with urine. They breed throughout the year with a gestation period of between 110 and 140 days (normally around 120 to 126 days), although peak breeding season is in June/July. They normally produce between one to three young, weighing an average of 230 g (8 oz). The young are precocial, with fur, fully open eyes and the ability to walk. They are weaned at around five months and reach sexual maturity at around ten months. In captivity they live for eight to eleven years.
Interaction with humans
Hutias were traditionally hunted for food in Cuba as their flesh was agreeable and their size meant they provided a substantial meal. In a few places they were raised in barns and used as a minor stock animal. The Wild Animals Protection Act of 1968 made it illegal to hunt or kill hutias without a permit from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. In some areas they are so abundant that they cause damage to crops and are viewed as a pest.
Although they are common and there is no immediate concern over the species' survival, a population from East Plan Cay has been relocated to the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park to ensure their long-term survival. It has also been suggested that they be trialled as a potential microlivestock, as they are easy to raise in captivity.
Taxonomy and subspecies
First described by Pallas in 1788 as Mys pilorides, it was later noted that Desmarest's Hutia did not belong in that genus, and it was placed in the genus Capromys by Tate in 1935. Five subspecies are recorded: ciprianoi, doceleguas, gundlachianus, pilorides, and relictus. Studies have so far shown no genetic differences between the two subspecies ciprianoi and relictus found on Isla de la Juventud, but a 5% sequence deviation by gundlachianus found on Cayo Fragaso. The common name, Desmarest's Hutia, is for Anselme Gaëtan Desmarest who described the species in 1822 with the synonym fourniere.
References
 | Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Capromys_pilorides |
- ^ a b Soy, J. & Silva, G. (2008). Capromys pilorides. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 6 January 2009.
- ^ a b c Nowak, R. M. (1999). Walker's Mammals of the World. Vol. 2. 6th edition. p. 1706. ISBN 0-8017-5789-9
- Don E. Wilson (Ed), DeeAnn M. Reeder (Ed) (2005). Mammal Species of the World : A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, 2-volume set. The Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 2000. ISBN 0801882214.
- Panel on Microlivestock, National Research Council (1991). Microlivestock: Little-Known Small Animals with a Promising Economic Future. National Academies Press. pp. 472. ISBN 030904295X.
- Brianna Reis. "Capromys pilorides". University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Capromys_pilorides.html. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
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