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GNAWING ANIMALS 



cies, one of which (of southern Cuba) has a prehensile tail. 

 The Cuban Hutia {Capromys pilorides) may well be cited 

 as a typical species. In general form the animal looks very 

 much like an undersized raccoon, with a long, thick, blunt- 

 ended and almost naked tail. Its color is sombre gray, its 

 hair is coarse and also long for a tropical animal. Its head- 



COYPU RAT. 



and-body length is about 19^ inches, tail, 10 inches, and the 

 weight of a full-grown adult is about 14 pounds. The short, 

 thick-muzzled head is not at all rat-like, but on the con- 

 trary bears some resemblance to that of the capybara. The 

 Hutias all live in trees, are fairly expert climbers, feed mainly 

 on vegetable food, and wherever they are found their flesh 

 is eaten by the natives. 



The Coypu Rat {Myopotamus coypu) of South America 

 is one of the largest of the rat-like animals. In appearance 

 it looks very much like a huge muskrat with extra heavy 

 and coarse hair. It is easily kept and bred in captivity, and 



