FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
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An endemic species to the island of Hispaniola, the Hispaniolan hutia (Plagiodontia aedium) is the only confirmed extant species of the Plagiodontia genus. The species is sometimes found in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
These mammals are generally bigger than several rodent species. The average weight and length of a Hispaniolan hutia are around 3 lb (1 kg) and 13.7–16 in (35-41 cm), respectively. The species possesses dense brown or gray fur, while its underparts are buff in color. The tail is generally scaly and has no fur. The Hispaniolan hutia has five digits on both its barefoot and hindfoot. Also, a female hutia has three pairs of thoracic mammae.
Hispaniolan hutias are nocturnal and arboreal, and they generally spend lots of time on trees, unlike other terrestrial mammals. They dwell in tree cavities, while some populations also inhabit burrows. Roughy hillsides and ravines of 6561.68 ft (2000 m) elevation from sea level also serve as their habitat.
The IUCN has listed these mammals as Endangered. Apart from the Hispaniolan hutia, some other species of the genus Plagiodontia are extinct. This threatened species is majorly affected by habitat destruction, hunting, and invasive species such as mongeese, cats, dogs, and many more.
Keep on reading to learn more interesting facts about the Hispaniolan hutia. If you want to know more exciting information about different animals, check out the gerbil and the marsupial mole too.
The Hispaniolan hutia (scientific name: Plagiodontia aedium) is a native species to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The population of this threatened species is declining in the wild. Unlike other terrestrial animals, the species spends most of its time on trees.
The Hispaniolan hutia belongs to the class of Mammalia, the family of Capromyidae, and the genus Plagiodontia.
The exact population of this threatened species is not known as of now, but it is declining constantly. The habitat of these hutias is often sadly cleared for agricultural activities. If their numbers keep falling continuously, the species might become extinct in the upcoming decades.
The Hispaniolan hutia is endemic to the Dominican Republic and Haiti, both countries fall in the Caribbean region.
Like other members of the Capromyidae family, the Hispaniolan hutia is nocturnal and arboreal. The animal generally spends lots of time on trees, unlike other terrestrial mammals. This hutia mainly dwells in tree cavities while some populations also use burrows to inhabit. Roughy hillsides and ravines of 6562 ft (2000 m) elevation from sea level can also serve as a Hispaniolan hutia habitat.
Very little information regarding the social behavior of the Hispaniolan hutia is available as of now, but the species generally lives in pairs. A pair includes one male and one female who come together during the breeding season.
The Hispaniolan hutia can easily live up to 15.9 years if kept in captivity. One of the most major threats to this threatened species in the wild is habitat and ecology obstruction.
Very little is known about the reproduction patterns of the Hispaniolan hutia species. Females generally go through an estrous cycle of around 10 days and are receptive to mating with males during this period. The gestation period generally lasts for around 120-150 days and either one or two offspring are born in each breeding season. Unlike other rodents, a young hutia is generally more mature from the moment of birth.
The IUCN has listed these mammals as Endangered. Apart from the Hispaniolan hutia, some other species of the genus Plagiodontia are extinct. This threatened species is majorly affected by habitat destruction, hunting, and invasive species such as mongeese, cats, dogs, and many more. Human encroachment is also emerging as a threat to these animals.
This species possesses dense brown or gray fur, while its underparts are buff in color. Its tail is generally scaly and it has no fur. The Hispaniolan hutia has five digits on both its barefoot and hindfoot. Also, a female hutia has three pairs of thoracic mammae. Their unusual teeth help to identify the species.
*Please note that this is an image of Desmarest's hutia, not Hispaniolan hutia. If you have an image of Hispaniolan hutia, please let us know at [email protected]
The Hispaniolan hutia is one of the most fascinating species of the Dominican Republic. Unlike most species of the Capromyidae family, young huitas are more mature from the moment of birth. We need to protect these little cuties as they are the only extant species of the Plagiodontia genus.
Like other species of the Capromyidae family, these mammals follow similar methods of communication. They possess soft and bird-like chirps that are used to find their mates and indicate danger. They are quite social members of the animal kingdom and generally live by forming pairs.
The average weight and length of a Hispaniolan hutia are around 3 lb (1 kg) and 13.7–16 in (35-41 cm), respectively. The mammal is three times the size of the jerboa and the shrew.
The exact speed of the species is not known, but the hutia is very active during the night.
The average weight of a Hispaniolan hutia is around 3 lb (1 kg).
There are no specific names given to male and female hutias, people generally refer to them as Hispaniolan hutias. Unlike males, females possess three pairs of thoracic mammae.
No particular names have been given to a baby Hispaniolan hutia, but terms such as pups are often used to refer to the babies of rats.
This mammal is a herbivore and the average Hispaniolan hutia diet generally includes roots, tubers, leaves, stems, and bark. Some other hutia species such as Desmarest's hutia are carnivores and prey on small vertebrates and invertebrates. The Hispaniolan hutia is often preyed upon by mongeese and oncillas.
No, these animals are not poisonous but they can attack if someone tries to provoke or threaten them. They also possess oblique teeth. It is always advised not to provoke or harm these vulnerable members of the animal kingdom.
It is illegal to keep Hispaniolan hutias as pets as the population of the species is declining constantly. They have a worrying conservation status and several organizations have made conservation plans to protect them.
The Hispaniolan solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus) is said to be another extant animal endemic to Hispaniola island.
Yes, the IUCN has listed the species' conservation status as Endangered. This threatened species is majorly affected by habitat destruction, hunting, and invasive species such as mongeese, cats, dogs, and many more. Human encroachment is emerging as a threat to these animals too. This human encroachment is often done in the name of agricultural development.
The genus name Plagiodontia is derived from two ancient Greek words, 'plagios' and 'odous'. The meaning of the terms are 'placed sideways' and 'tooth', respectively. Their oblique teeth are the most unique feature of this species.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals from our nutria facts and gopher facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable hispaniolan hutia coloring pages.
*Please note that this is an image of Desmarest's hutia, not Hispaniolan hutia. If you have an image of Hispaniolan hutia, please let us know at [email protected]
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At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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