Hutia

Taxobox
name = Hutias
fossil_range = Early Miocene - Recent

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image_width = 250px
image_caption = "Capromys pilorides"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Rodentia
subordo = Hystricomorpha
infraordo = Hystricognathi
parvordo = Caviomorpha
familia = Capromyidae
familia_authority = Smith, 1842
subdivision_ranks = Genera
subdivision = "Capromys"
"Geocapromys"
†"Hexolobodon"
"Isolobodon"
"Mesocapromys"
"Mysateles"
"Plagiodontia"
"Rhizoplagiodontia"

Hutias are moderately large cavy-like rodents that inhabit the Caribbean Islands. They range in size from convert|20|to|60|cm|abbr=on, and can weigh up to convert|7|kg|lb|abbr=oncite book |editor=Macdonald, D.|author= Bishop, Ian|year=1984 |title= The Encyclopedia of Mammals|publisher= Facts on File|location=New York|pages= 700|isbn= 0-87196-871-1] . 20 species of hutia have been identified, and half may be extinct. Among those that perished were the giant hutias. They resemble the nutria in some respects and the largest species weigh up to seven kilograms. Tails are present, varying from vestiges to prehensile. They have stout bodies and large heads. Most species are herbivorous, though some consume small animals. Instead of burrowing underground, they nest in trees or rock crevices. Only a few species are common, while others have become endangered.

They are hunted for food in Cuba, where they are often cooked in a large pot with wild nuts and honey. One of the recipes is hutia stew: sauté with green peppers, onions, tomato sauce and lots of garlic.

One species of hutia is referred to by those stationed at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base as banana rats.Fact|date=March 2007

Banana rats are not named for their dietary preference, but because their feces look like small versions of the fruit. They are also known to come out at night.

Species

*Those species with daggers by them are known to be extinct.:Order Rodentia::Suborder Hystricognathi:::Family Capromyidae::::Subfamily Capromyinae:::::"Capromys"::::::Desmarest's hutia ("Capromys pilorides"):::::"Geocapromys"::::::Bahamian Hutia ("Geocapromys ingrahami")::::::Brown's hutia ("Geocapromys brownii")::::::Little swan island hutia (†"Geocapromys thoracatus"):::::"Mesocapromys"::::::Cabrera's Hutia ("Mesocapromys angelcabrerai")::::::Dwarf Hutia ("Mesocapromys nanus")::::::Eared Hutia ("Mesocapromys auritus")::::::San Felipe Hutia ("Mesocapromys sanfelipensis"):::::"Mysateles"::::::Black-tailed Hutia ("Mysateles melanurus")::::::Garrido's Hutia ("Mysateles garridoi")::::::Gundlach's Hutia ("Mysateles gundlachi")::::::Prehensile-tailed Hutia ("Mysateles prehensilis")::::::Southern Hutia ("Mysateles meridionalis")::::Subfamily †Hexolobodontinae:::::†"Hexolobodon"::::::Imposter Hutia (†"Hexolobodon phenax")::::Subfamily Isolobodontinae:::::"Isolobodon"::::::Montane Hutia (†"Isolobodon montanus")::::::Puerto Rican Hutia ("Isolobodon portoricensis")::::Subfamily Plagiodontinae:::::"Plagiodontia"::::::Hispaniolan Hutia ("Plagiodontia aedium")::::::†Samana Hutia ("Plagiodontia ipnaeum")::::::San Rafael Hutia ("Plagiodontia araeum"):::::"Rhizoplagiodontia"::::::Lemke's Hutia ("Rhizoplagiodontia lemkei")

References