Paca

Description

The Paca (Cuniculus paca) is a medium-sized rodent with a distinctive appearance, featuring dark spots on a reddish-brown coat. Native to Belize, these nocturnal mammals are known for their herbivorous diet.

Interesting Facts

• Scientific Name: Cuniculus paca
• Habitat: Inhabits various environments in Belize, including forests and grasslands.
• Diet: Herbivores, feeding on fruits, nuts, and vegetation; play a role in seed dispersal.
• Behavior: Nocturnal and solitary; characterized by their large size and unique coloration; conservation efforts focus on maintaining their populations in Belize.

Fun Facts

• The paca is famously known as the “royal rat” because its meat was served to the Queen Elizabeth II when she visited Belize
• Pacas have an eye feature called tapetum lucidum that enhances their vision at night, allowing them to see well in darkness
• Like all rodents, pacas’ teeth continuously grow throughout their lifetimes; they constantly wear them down by grinding them, and by eating hard nuts and fruit
• In Belize they like to eat the nuts of the cohune palm
• Pacas practice enurination whereby the male paca urinates on the female paca to establish dominance.
• They are good swimmers and may even mate in water! Pacas are one of the most important prey for jaguars in Belize

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