A paca is a member of the genus Cuniculus of ground-dwelling, herbivorous rodents in South and Central America. source
A paca is a member of the genus Cuniculus of ground-dwelling, herbivorous rodents in South and Central America.
A paca is the only genus in the family Cuniculidae. source
A paca is the only genus in the family Cuniculidae.
A pacas are large rodents with dots and stripes on their sides, short ears, and barely visible tails. source
A pacas are large rodents with dots and stripes on their sides, short ears, and barely visible tails.
A pacas are also referred to as "gibnuts" or "royal rats". source
A pacas are also referred to as "gibnuts" or "royal rats".
Pacas originated in South America and are one of the few mammal species . source
Pacas originated in South America and are one of the few mammal species .
Pacas are 50–77 cm (20–30 in) in length, excluding the 13–23 cm (5.1–9.1 in) short tail. source
Pacas are 50–77 cm (20–30 in) in length, excluding the 13–23 cm (5.1–9.1 in) short tail.
Pacas weigh 6–14 kg (13–31 lb), and are the sixth-largest rodents in the world. source
Pacas weigh 6–14 kg (13–31 lb), and are the sixth-largest rodents in the world.
Pacas have square heads, small ears, sides patterned with spots and stripes, and virtually invisible tails. source
Pacas have square heads, small ears, sides patterned with spots and stripes, and virtually invisible tails.
Pacas can live up to 13 years in the wild. source
Pacas can live up to 13 years in the wild.
Pacas inhabit rainforests, cloud forests, and sometimes more open habitats. source
Pacas inhabit rainforests, cloud forests, and sometimes more open habitats.
Pacas are great swimmers and prefer to be near water. source
Pacas are great swimmers and prefer to be near water.
Pacas dive when threatened and can stay submerged up to 15 minutes. source
Pacas dive when threatened and can stay submerged up to 15 minutes.
Pacas can also jump up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) and freeze up to 45 minutes. source
Pacas can also jump up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) and freeze up to 45 minutes.
Pacas have resonating chambers in their cheeks and their growling noise, at about 1 kHz, is surprisingly loud for their size. source
Pacas have resonating chambers in their cheeks and their growling noise, at about 1 kHz, is surprisingly loud for their size.
In the wild, pacas eat fruits from understory trees and fallen fruits from taller trees, but may also eat leaves, buds, flowers, fungi, and insects. source
In the wild, pacas eat fruits from understory trees and fallen fruits from taller trees, but may also eat leaves, buds, flowers, fungi, and insects.
The lowland paca is found from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. source
The lowland paca is found from southern Mexico to northern Argentina.
Pacas have been observed up to 2,500 m (8,200 ft) above sea level. source
Pacas have been observed up to 2,500 m (8,200 ft) above sea level.
