Lowland paca
A species of Pacas, Also known as Paca Scientific name : Cuniculus paca Genus : Pacas
Lowland paca, A species of Pacas
Also known as:
Paca
Scientific name: Cuniculus paca
Genus: Pacas
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Agência de Notícias do Acre , used under CC-BY-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
The lowland paca has coarse fur without underfur, dark brown to black on the upper body and white or yellowish on the underbelly. It usually has three to five rows of white spots along its sides, against a dark grey background. It has thick strong legs, with four digits in the forefeet and five in the hind feet (the first and fifth are reduced); the nails function as hooves. The tail is short and hairless. The zygomatic arch is expanded laterally and dorsally and is used as a resonating chamber - a unique feature among mammals. An adult lowland paca weighs between 6 and 12 kilograms (13 and 26 lb). While their fertility is low, the lowland pacas no trouble surviving. Each litter has one young lowland paca, sometimes two. They usually have one to three young a year with a gestation period of about 115–120 days. Pacas are sexually mature at about 1 year. A paca usually lives up to 13 years. The lowland paca can carry leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis. 
General Info
Lifespan
10-13 years
Diet
Lowland paca's diet is predominantly herbivorous, feeding chiefly on fruits, including avocados and mangos. Additionally, it consumes roots, leaves, and flowers, supplementing this with small amounts of animal matter such as insects and small vertebrates.
Appearance
Lowland paca is a medium-sized terrestrial rodent with a compact body and a thick, coarse fur coat. It has a predominant brown color, with white or yellowish spots arranged in rows on both sides of the body. This species is unique in its four-toed front feet and five-toed hind feet. It also possesses large cheek pouches and robust incisors. No significant differences in appearance due to age, gender, or subspecies have been reported for this species.
Behavior
Lowland paca exhibits nocturnal and solitary behavior, often burrowing near water bodies. It feeds mainly on fruits, using cheek pouches to carry food to its burrow. This species employs a unique thump-vocalization communication strategy, using low-frequency sounds for long-range communication. Its territorial marking involves clawing and biting vegetation.
Population
Stable
Scientific Classification
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