#creature report

Pacarana

Dinomys branickii

Family Dinomyidae, pavorder Caviomorpha, suborder Hystricomorpha, order Rodentia

This animal is called the pacarana because it looks a bit like a paca, another South American rodent.

They are the only living member of their taxonomic family. Some other members of this family grew to incredible sizes, like the bison sized Josephoartigasia, which is the largest known rodent. Pacaranas themselves are pretty large, weighing as much as 15 kg, or 33lbs.

Pacaranas are very slow moving and peaceful animals. They eat fruits, leaves, and stems of plants and eat sitting down while holding their food like they have hands. It’s very cute.

The males also stand on their hind legs when approaching females during courtship and there was a viral video of one of these guys standing on their hind legs a while back trying to remove soap from their fur. It has been confirmed by an expert that no, you should not put soap on a pacarana.

They’re mainly nocturnal and terrestrial, but they do a bit of climbing.

These animals are vulnerable to becoming endangered.

@jackalspine @fifiibibii

Help! Help! I just saw the most ADORABLE critter, but I just can’t remember it’s name! Hmm... I think it could turn every colour of the rainbow, and could have lots of shapes or none at all!

Huh? What do you mean that’s ‘not very clear’, kiddo? Well, maybe you can draw the critter I saw! I bet you’d do a great job! Try filling out this creature report for easy cataloguing.

Red-rumped agouti

Dasyprocta leporina

Family Dasyproctidae, infraorder Caviomorpha, order rodentia

Also known as the golden-rumped agouti, orange-rumped agouti and Brazilian agouti.

They live in bonded pairs, or family groups when they have children. They mate for life.

They eat seeds, pulp, leaves, roots and fruits. They also sometimes eat insect larvae when other food is unavailable.

They will eat brazil nuts and will often bury them for later, like squirrels.

They are generally between 3 and 5.9 kg (6.6 to 13 lbs), and grow to between 49 and 64 cm (19 to 25 in) long with tails no longer than 6 cm (2.4 in). Females are usually larger than males.

They communicate with grunts, squeals, screams, and body language.

They are crepuscular, like guinea pigs.

@jackalspine @fifiibibii