Geocapromys ingrahami is found on the islands of the Bahamas. Subspecies are found on other islands of the Caribbean, and northern Venezuela.

(Encyclopedia Britannica,1999)

Biogeographic Regions: neotropical (Native ); oceanic islands (Native )

Other Geographic Terms: island endemic

Geocapromys ingrahami is a rat-like rodent. Its fur comes in many different colors. It can be gray, brown, black, white, or red. Its length ranges from 20 - 60 cm, not including the tail. The tail is short.

(Attrill, 2000; Encyclopedia Britannica, 1999)

Average mass: 5.000 kg.

Average mass: 660 g.

Average basal metabolic rate: 1.483 W.

• Terrestrial

Geocapromys ingrahami is found in the forests of the Bahamas. It is found in the trees or on the ground. This species of Hutia is found mainly on the East Plana Cay of the Bahamas.

Habitat Regions: tropical ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: forest ; scrub forest

The Bahamas Hutia is mostly a vegetarian. It eats bark, leaves, nuts, fruits, and the occasional insect or lizard. Geocapromys ingrahami is a good climber but tends to eat the vegetation closer to the ground.

(Attrill, 2000; Packard, 1983; Encyclopedia Britannica, 1999)

Average lifespan

Status: wild: 6.0 years.

The females breed all year round. The gestation period is 17 - 18 weeks. The female may have one to four young. The young are born full of fur and with their eyes open. They are able to eat solid foods, like leaves, a few days after they are born. The young tend to stay with their mothers for up to two years. Geocapromys ingrahami lives up to 12 years and the reproduction rate is low. Sexual maturity is two years old.

(Attrill, 2000; Packard, 1983)

Range number of offspring: 1.000 to 4.000.

Range gestation period: 125 to 156 days.

Range weaning age: 2.000 (low) days.

Average birth mass: 80 g.

Average number of offspring: 1.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)

Sex: male: 730 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)

Sex: female: 730 days.

Parental Investment: precocial

Geocapromys ingarahami is an endangered species. It was once believed that it was extinct. The causes of their endangerment include hunting, habitat destruction, predation by introduced cats, dogs, and mongoose. Scientists have relocated some Hutia to other small islands of the Bahamas.

The animal is protected under the Wild Animals Protection Act of 1968. This prohibits killing and capturing of Hutia. The Bahamas Hutia has the most abundant population of all the Hutia species. One species is extinct, and all are endangered or threatened. A program is reintroducing the Bahamas Hutia to the island of Exuma.

(Attrill, 2000; Encyclopedia Britannica, 1999)

US Federal List: threatened

CITES: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: vulnerable

There is no negative affect on humans.

The Bahamas Hutia can be easily bred and studied in zoos. Scientists also study this animal because it is endangered.

(Attrill, 2000)