Dinomyidae - pacaranas

There is one species in this family. The pacarana is a large rodent found tropical forests in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, and Bolivia in South America.

It weighs 20-30 pounds. It looks like a little like a very large guinea pig! It has a stocky body; a large head; thick, brown fur with rows of white spots; small, rounded ears; powerful legs with sharp claws; and a long, thick tail.

Pacaranas are herbivores. Most of their diet is made up of fruit, leaves, and plant stems. They sit back on their hindquarters and hold their food in their front paws when they are eating. They are nocturnal and slow moving, and they live in crevices!

World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in Wild Extinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.

US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game

Other Species Around the World
Africa Asia Australia/Oceania Europe North/Central America South America NH Species
Pacarana - Dinomys branickii

Additional Information

Key: Profile Photos Video Audio

Pacarana - Dinomys branickii
Pacaranas communicate by stamping their feet, chattering their teeth, and calling out with a variety of whimpers, whines, hisses, and other vocalizations.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School

Pacarana - Dinomys branickii
Female pacaranas usually give birth to twins.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School