Pacarana  (Dinomys branickii)

Description

Resembling a gigantic guinea pig, the pacarana is the third largest rodent worldwide, and is the only living species of its genus. The pacarana has a large head with small eyes, short rounded ears, a blunt snout and long whiskers (2) (3). The coarse fur is mostly brown or blackish, with two well-defined rows of white spots running parallel to the spine, merging towards the neck and head into broad stripes. Two rows of white spots also run along the flanks, but are more diffuse. The limbs are short, and end in broad four-toed feet, equipped with long, powerful claws, while the tail is short, thick, and completely covered with dark hair (2).

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