Desmarests Hutia Capromys pilorides

Desmarests Hutia, also called the Cuban Hutia but several other hutias are also native to Cuba, is a large wild rodent endemic to Cuba.

It is the largest living hutia and looks like an enormous tailed guinea pig with a head/body length of a couple of feet (up to 60cm) plus a tail of half as much. Its diet is mainly vegetarian.

They live in pairs or small groups in many varied types of habitat throughout Cuba. They are diurnal and climb well but do not generally burrow.

They breed any time of year and have 1-3 young. In the past they were commonly hunted by people for food.