Post by Radrook Admin on May 14, 2024 23:53:07 GMT -5
The Paca
The Paca is a large nocturnal rodent of the neotropical rainforest. It feeds on seeds, fruits, leaves and roots. To get the necessary bacteria to digest leaves and roots the Paca will eat it's own feces. The preferred habitat is primary forest along a stream where it digs a den with two entrances. One of which is covered with leaves and is used as a secret escape route. A wide variety of sounds are produced by a large jaw bone. They mate for life but spend the night in separate dens. Pacas usually have only one young a year so they do not withstand pressure from poachers.
Of all the wild animals in Costa Rica, the Paca has the most delicious meat. Illegal hunters pay hundreds of dollars for hunting dogs that sniff out the Paca. While being chased by their natural predators like a Puma or a idiot with a gun the Paca will dive into a stream and hide underwater.
The smaller Mountain Paca lives in the northern Andes and the Páramo grasslands, with a peak occurrence between 2,000 and 3,000 m (6,600 and 9,800 ft) above sea level.
Of all the wild animals in Costa Rica, the Paca has the most delicious meat. Illegal hunters pay hundreds of dollars for hunting dogs that sniff out the Paca. While being chased by their natural predators like a Puma or a idiot with a gun the Paca will dive into a stream and hide underwater.
WIKI
The lowland paca is found from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. They primarily live in rainforests near streams, but can also be found in a wide variety of habitats, including mangrove swamps, gallery forests near water currents, and even in public parks. They have been observed up to 2,500 m (8,200 ft) above sea level. Pacas are 50–77 cm (20–30 in) in length, excluding the 13–23 cm (5.1–9.1 in) short tail, weigh 6–14 kg (13–31 lb), and are the sixth-largest rodents in the world.
The smaller Mountain Paca lives in the northern Andes and the Páramo grasslands, with a peak occurrence between 2,000 and 3,000 m (6,600 and 9,800 ft) above sea level.
Species
The mountain Paca has longer and darker fur than the lowland Paca. Observations indicate mountain Pacas are found between 1,500 and 2,800 m (4,900 and 9,200 ft) above sea level.