Municipality of Tourist Interest
Animals of the Brazilian Fauna
Paca
Nome Científico
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Nome Científico
Cuniculus paca
Características
The paca is a medium-sized rodent with short, thick fur, ranging in color from brown to black, with white spots arranged in stripes along its body. It can weigh up to 12 kg and measure about 60 cm in length.
Ocorrência
Distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical forests of Central and South America, the paca prefers areas near watercourses, where it finds protection and food.
Comportamento
Pacas are nocturnal and solitary animals, except during mating season. They build burrows in the ground, often with multiple entrances to facilitate escape from predators. They are silent and have excellent hearing.
Alimentação
They feed on fruits, leaves, and roots, and are important seed dispersers in the forest. Pacas prefer fruits that have fallen to the ground, which they consume and bury for later consumption.
Reprodução
Reproduction can occur year-round, with a gestation period of about 150 days. Typically, one or two offspring are born, which are nursed by their mother for a few months. Pacas have a high reproduction rate.
Preservação
Although not currently threatened with extinction, pacas face pressure due to hunting and habitat destruction. In some areas, they are hunted for their meat, which is considered a delicacy.
Curiosidades
The paca is one of the heaviest rodents in Latin America.
They have swimming abilities, being able to escape predators by diving into waterways.