Details
Cuniculus paca
Lowland paca is a mammal associated with forests and freshwater habitats. It is herbivorous and often found in pairs. It remains widespread in parts of its range, but local habitat change still matters.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
Its range is represented here by the Neotropics, where it uses forests and freshwater habitats. Mobile species may shift habitat use with season, breeding sites, or food availability.
Typical length 60-80 cm, weight 6 kg-12 kg. It has a small agile rodent-like build, with proportions shaped by its habitat and mode of movement.
It is mostly active at night and often found in pairs. Spacing, group size, and visibility can change with season, feeding conditions, and breeding activity.
It is herbivorous. Food choice and foraging style are tied to life in forests and freshwater habitats, so movements often follow available food resources.
As a mammal, it gives birth to live young, and the mother nurses them in cover or within the social group.
Recorded scientifically as Cuniculus paca. It remains widespread in parts of its range, but local habitat change still matters. In this guide, size, habitat, and activity pattern are useful first clues for recognition.
