The Pacas: The Resilient Guardians of the Rainforest (2024)

The paca from the Tupí word “paka” is a type of ground-dwelling, herbivorous rodent found in South and Central America. It belongs to the genus Cuniculus and is the only genus in the family Cuniculidae. Pacas are large rodents with dots and stripes on their sides, short ears, and barely visible tails. In Belize they are known as “gibnut” and are eaten by people. They have also been served to Queen Elizabeth II earning them the nickname “the royal rat.” In the Amazon basin, they are called “majás,” and in Guyanese English, they are known as “labba” from the Arawak language.

Quick Facts

Scientific Name	Cuniculus paca (Lowland Paca), Cuniculus taczanowskii (Mountain Paca)
Origin	Central and South America
Size	20-26 inches (50-65 cm)
	13-26 pounds (6-12 kg)
Habitat	Tropical and Subtropical Forests
	Lowland and Montane Forests
Lifespan	Up to 13 years
Coat	Short, coarse fur
	Brown to reddish-brown with white spots or stripes
Temperament	Solitary, Territorial, Nocturnal
Diet	Herbivorous (Fruits, Nuts, Seeds, Leaves)
Exercise Needs	Moderate (active foraging and swimming)
Burrowing	Complex burrows near water sources
Reproductive Rate	Low (1-2 offspring per litter)
Health Issues	Generally Healthy
Price	$499.99

History and Origin of Pacas

Pacas originated in South America and are among the few mammal species that successfully migrated to North America after the Great American Interchange 3 million years ago. They were previously grouped with the agoutis in the family Dasyproctidae, subfamily Agoutinae, but were given full family status due to their differing number of toes, skull shape, and coat patterning.

Physical Characteristics

The pacas are typically 50–77 cm (20–30 in) in length, excluding their 13–23 cm (5.1–9.1 in) tail, and weigh 6–14 kg (13–31 lb), making them the sixth-largest rodents in the world. Resembling guinea pigs, they have square heads, small ears, spotted and striped sides, and nearly invisible tails. With large hind limbs, small forelimbs, and cone-shaped bodies, pacas bear a striking resemblance to deer-like chevrotains.

They possess four to seven horizontal lines of blotches and stripes along their flanks and boast a heavy and robust appearance, despite their long and relatively tiny legs. Additionally, their small ears are set high on their heads. In the wild, they can live up to 13 years.

Temperament and Personality

Pacas are lone and territorial animals primarily active at night to avoid predators and search for foods like fruits, nuts, seeds, and leaves. They like to live alone besides during mating season or when mothers care for their young. Known for their quiet and stealthy movements pacas are adept at evading detection often retreating to their burrows or diving into water to escape dangers.

Their careful and alert nature along with their strong swimming ability shows their adaptability to various habitats. Pacas communicate with grunts, barks and clicks and maintain well developed offspring who can quickly follow their mothers after birth. These traits make pacas uniquely suited to thrive in the forests of Central and South America.

Exercise and Activity Needs

Pacas have moderate exercise needs that are linked to their natural behaviors. Being nocturnal animals they are active at night searching for fruits, nuts and leaves. They are remarkably agile and are good swimmers often using water to evade predators. Additionally they dig and maintain intricate burrows which contributes to their physical activity. Therefore in captivity it is important to provide space for foraging, digging and swimming to ensure their health and keep them mentally engaged.

Grooming and Needs

Pacas have low grooming because of their short rough fur and natural self-cleaning behaviors. They keep themselves clean primarily through self-grooming and regular swimming so they do not require regular bathing. Their habit of digging and maintaining burrows provides a clean living environment reducing the need for human interactions. A balanced diet of fruits, nuts, seeds and leaves supports their overall health and keeps their coat in good condition.

Health and Common Concerns

Pacas are naturally strong and healthy animals but they can face certain health issues especially when they’re isolated. Common concerns include digestive problems if they do not receive a diet rich in fruits, nuts, seeds and leaves which are necessary for their well-being. Gaining weight can also be a problem if they don’t get enough exercise.

They are prone to dental issues as their continuously growing teeth need natural wear from grinding. Additionally like many rodents pacas can suffer from respiratory infections and parasites if their living conditions are not clean. Regular health checks and maintaining a clean spacious environment with opportunities for natural behaviors help prevent these concerns.

Training and Socialization

Training and socializing pacas can be difficult due to their naturally solitary and territorial nature. They are not normally domesticated or social animals choosing to live alone and avoid interaction. However in captivity early and gentle handling can help them become used to human presence. Training should be done with patience using positive reinforcement techniques. Providing a spacious environment that imitates their natural habitat and allows for natural behaviors like foraging and burrowing.

Conclusion

Pacas are fascinating creatures with unique characteristics that make them well suited to their natural habitats in Central and South America. Their lone and territorial nature combined with their adaptability and strong swimming ability ensures their survival in harsh environments.

While they require minimal grooming and have moderate exercise needs maintaining their health and well being in captivity involves providing space for natural behaviors and a balanced diet. Understanding their temperament and care requirements can help in managing these fascinating animals effectively.