Measurements.--Five adults from Ma ‘ : ; 
hind foot, 66 mu,; ear, ay zatenango averaged: total length, 530 mm; tail,278 mn,; 
z Seger tee Guatemala and Chiapas south to Colombia, 
~-Pacific coastal plain and lower mountain elopes, highlands along 
the Salvadorean and Hondurean border 
Everywhere abundant. orders, and in the Caribbean lowlands north to the Rio Motagua, 
Habitat.--Tropical forests, soff “ 
rleareiviaws , ee fincas, banana plantations, dry oak woodlands, and semi 
Habits. —s neat of very young squirrels, probably of this species, was found in a hollow tree 
at San Jose on April 3. Probably it breeds at all times of the year, For other habits see 
Eciurus depvei (No. 21), 
e~-This equirrel is one of the most abundant game mammals on the Pacific coast and 
it is not at all difficult to make a good killing of then. 
-~-There are five races within the limited range of the species in Guatemala: goldmani 
along the western part of the Pacific coast, banged along the eastern part of the Pacific 
Coast, Variegatoides in the highlands along the borders of El Salvador and Honduras, boothiae 
along the border of Honduras on the Caribbean coast, and panaguengis in the tropical portion 
of the Rfo Motagua valley. 
27 
Names.—-Latin: Coéndoy 
Guatemalan: Puerco espino, Puerco espin 
English: Tree porcupine 
Description.--A chubby, heavy set animal with prehensile tail, and body covered with long 
sharp spines, General coloration blackish or grayish black. : 
Distinguishing characteristice.—-Long sharp spines, 
Meagurements.~-Adults average: total length, 725 mm.; tail, 250 mm.; hind foot, 60 on, 
General distribution.-—-Mountains of México and Guatemala, south through Central America to 
Chile in South America, 
Distrimtion in Guatemala.—--Highlands above 2,000 feet elevation, Uncommon, 
Habitat.-~Forests, usually moist. 
_Habits.--The habits of this porcupine are little kmown. However, it is known to be nocturnal 
and to spend most of ite time in tree tops where it lives on a diet of buds, leaves, possibly 
tree bark and probably some fruit, Its spines are a defense cgainst its naturel enemies, 
Hupting.--This is not a good game mammal and because it is scarce and an interesting curosity 
of nature it should not be molested, It is a slow moving beast and despite its spines has 
no defense against firearms or clubs, They are generally killed asa trophy whenever discovered, 
Remarks,--The Guatemalan race is mexicanun. 
28, 
Nanes,--Latin: Desyprocts punctata 
Guatemalan: Cotuza 
English: Agouti 
Description.--A large pig sized rodent with rather short legs, feet with hoof-like nails, a 
rabbit-like face, almost no tail, long coarse hair, and dark yellowish brown coloration, 
Distinguishing characteristics.—-Large size, dark brown unspotted pelage, 
Measurements.--Adults averege: total length, 550 mu.; tail, 25 mm.; hind foot, 115 mn,; 
ear, 36 mn, 
General distribution, --Southern México south through Central America to Bolivia and Paraguay. 
Distribution in Gustemale.=--Probably the whole Republic, but seemingly more abundant on the 
Caribtean side. 
Habitat,--Savennahs, brush land, scrub forest and rain forest, 
Hebits,--This large rodent, though chiefly nocturnal, is often discovered during daylight 
hours and in the early morning end evening twilight. It lives in burrows in the ground and 
litters generally consist of two young. Its main foods are fruit, berries, leaves and buds, 
Hunting.-~The cotuza is a fine game mammal and it is often hunted by the Indians for-ite meat, 
It is of shy disposition and usually not more than a fleeting glimpse is obtained of it when 
it is surprised in the woods, It is sometimes hunted successfully with hounds. Posaibly a 
better method of hunting is to sit quietly in an area known to be inhabited by cotuzas and 
wait for them to appear. | 
Remarks.-~Probably three races are represented in Guatemala, chiapensis in the highlends, 
yucatenica, in Petén, and punctate on the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. 
153 
