ON THIS BLOG YOU WILL FIND ALL SORTS OF GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT CUBA ... SEE TOPICS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER ON THE RIGHT SIDE

Tuesday 1 July 2014

Cuban Hutia (tree rat) are hunted for food


Hutias are moderately large cavy-like rodents of the family Capromyidae that inhabit the Caribbean Islands

Most species have a head-and-body length that ranges from 21 to 46 cm (8.3 to 18.1 in) and weigh less than 2 kg (4.4 lb)

Most species are herbivorous, though some consume small animals

Instead of burrowing underground, they nest in trees or rock crevices


They are hunted for food in Cuba, where they are often cooked in a large pot with wild nuts and honey

At the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base however, there is an over population due to the lack of natural predators and an
abundant food source

Desmarest's hutias are referred to by those stationed at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base as banana rats

Banana rats are not named for their dietary preference, but because their feces look like small versions of the fruit

According to Blair Hedges of Penn State University the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base may be the Hutia's last home

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