Pacarana

toc //Dinomys branickii//

Order: Rodentia

=**__Husbandry Information__**=

Housing Requirements

 * Heated nestbox

Diet Requirements

 * Root vegetables, folivore biscuits

Veterinary Concerns

 * Tooth overgrowth

Notes on Enrichment & Training

 * Generally slow-moving.

=__Programmatic Information__=

Tips on Presentation

 * Can be trained A to Bs, often will hold food and eat and just sit. High value reinforcements are corn and bananas.

Tips on Handling

 * Can be carried in the arms white eating.

Potential Messaging

 * Affected by destruction of the rain forest.

=__Acquisition Information__=

Very rare in the US.

=__Comments from the Rating System__=

=__Natural History Information__=

Range and Habitat
Occurs only in tropical forests of the western Amazon River basin and adjacent foothills of the Andes mountains.

Physical Description
Large, stocky rodent that walks nearly plantigrade with a waddling gait. Black hair with white spots and stripes, medium-short tail can be lightly-furred or mostly bare. Large square head, small ears. Weighs 25-40 lbs. Makes a whining, complaining noise when upset or gnashes teeth.

Life Cycle
Can live up to 13-15 years, this would be considered very old.

Behavior
Makes a whining, complaining noise when upset or gnashes teeth. Mostly nocturnal.

Threats and Conservation Status
=__Did you know…__=
 * Fourth largest rodent in the world (behind capybara, North American beaver, African crested porcupines).
 * Very funny-looking and cute, guests love them.

=__Photographs__=

=__Contributors and Citations__=
 * San Diego Zoo

//When adding a new page, remember to add tags!//
 * //Activity Schedule: diurnal, nocturnal, crepuscular//
 * //Continent of Origin//
 * //Diet Requirements: carnivore, herbivore, omnivore, etc.//
 * //General Habitat/Biome: deserts, forests, mountains, etc.//