Pacarana

[Fossa dude]

Dinomys branickii

Summary Classification Schemes Images & External Links Bibliography Full Account
Taxonomy
Assessment Information
Geographic Range
Population
Habitat and Ecology
Threats
Conservation Actions
View Printer Friendly

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family
ANIMALIA CHORDATA MAMMALIA RODENTIA DINOMYIDAE

Scientific Name: Dinomys branickii
Species Authority: Peters, 1873
Common Name/s:
English – Pacarana
Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria: Vulnerable A2cd ver 3.1
Year Assessed: 2008
Assessor/s Tirira, D., Vargas, J. & Dunnum, J.
Reviewer/s: Amori, G. (Small Nonvolant Mammal Red List Authority) & Schipper, J. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)
Contributor/s:
Justification:
This species is listed as Vulnerable because of a population decline, estimated to be more than 30% over the last 10 years, inferred from over-exploitation, shrinkage in distribution, and habitat destruction and degradation.
History:
1996 – Endangered
1994 – Endangered (Groombridge 1994)
1990 – Endangered (IUCN 1990)
Geographic Range [top]

Range Description: This species occurs in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, and Bolivia (Woods and Kilpatrick, 2005). It is found in Colombia from 300 to 3,400 m (Alberico et al., 2000). In the Bolivian yungas it is known from 1,000 to 1,600 m; there are few records in Bolivia (Anderson, 1997; J. Vargas pers. comm.).
Countries:
Native:
Bolivia; Brazil; Colombia; Ecuador; Peru; Venezuela
Range Map:
(click map to view full version)

Population [top]

Population: It appears to be rare and its distribution is patchy (Lord, 1999). In Bolivia, the species appears to be rare in general; however, it appears to be common in Cotapata National Park (J. Vargas pers. comm.).
Population Trend: Decreasing
Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology: This species is thought to inhabit high selva and upper parts of the lower selva (Grimwood, 1969). Little is known about the wild habits of this species, but in captivity it is tame. Claws indicate it to be a digger, appears to be easy to capture for both predator and man. It is active by night, resting in caves or dens at the base of trees. This rodent has some climbing ability, especially prominent in young animals. It feeds on fruits, leaves, and plant shoots. It produces a wide variety of vocalizations, and males seeking mates produce a complicated, intricate series of calls. Gestation lies between 222 and 280 days; generally only two young are born (Eisenberg, 1974; Eisenberg and Redford, 1999; Lord, 1999). Its behavior in captivity has been summarized by Meritt (1984).
Systems: Terrestrial
Threats [top]

Major Threat(s): The major threats are deforestation and habitat loss. As an agricultural pest this species is hunted and its meat is eaten, especially in cultivated areas.
Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions: There are records in several protected areas.
Citation: Tirira, D., Vargas, J. & Dunnum, J. 2008. Dinomys branickii. In: IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.4. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 06 January 2011.
Disclaimer: To make use of this information, please check the <Terms of Use>.
Feedback: If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown on this page, please fill in the feedback form so that we can correct or extend the information provided

( IUCN Red List info page - Pacarana )



I have always been very interested in this species for a while and would like to know more about it. I have checked Zootierlister and ISIS but found no records of this species. Before you answer the whole ( Are there any zoos that have these - kinda thing ) Can you tell me if there is any other site that shows zoo animal databases. Second Question is : Do you know of any zoos that have house this species. Third Question : Have you ever seen them in the wild or in a zoo. Fourth Question : I have just looked up pacarana in zoos or just pacarana - so do you know of any sites that have a good amount of info on it.


Thank you

Fossa dude

 

[pinkback]

Hi Fossa dude.

Pacarana have been widely kept in the past and an international studbook started for them in the 80s. This was last updated in 89 and a copy of it would be hard to track down, the person doing it discontinued. There appear to be none outside the Americas at the present time. L.A and Sandiego have them and Cali and Medellin in Colombia also a place in Peru I think. Historically alot of animals were exhibited in zoos in Japan, but that was many years ago and there are none there now. The last pair in the UK was at Bristol zoo in the 80s and may have been the last in Europe since then.
The UDCA university in Bogota has maintained a breeding group for around twenty years for study and also conducts field research into the species.
The facility there was rebuilt recently with funding from European zoos and the German conservation society ZGAP.
They have produced several papers but sadly not in english.
I have some pictures if you wish.
While Pacaranas breed fairly easily, it would seem health and husbandry problems have prevented a long term viable zoo population being established.

 

[zoomaniac]

@Fossa due:

To no. 2 and 3: As pinkback mentioned, I saw a group of pacaranas between the years 2000 and 2004 in San Diego Zoo in an exhibit in the Fern Canyon, just below the Kiwi Cave.
In my "Home Zoo" in Zurich we had them in the 1970ies and early 80ies in the Mainbuilding (Exotarium). Zurich has also have the first breeding success with this species in Europe (1971) and maybe outside of their natural range. Zurich and San Diego are also the only places where I have seen this species.

 

[Maguari]

These are wonderful animals; I've only seen them the once and that was also San Diego, in 1998, when they were kept in the monkey house.

 

[Tim May]

Pacarana are particular favourites of mine; it is a great shame that they are so rarely seen in zoos.

I did see the species on a number of occasions, though, in the old Nocturnal House at Bristol Zoo during the 1980s; I also saw pacarana at Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, in 1987.

 

[gentle lemur]

My photo of one of the Bristol animals (from our Gallery).

I also remember seeing this species in Zurich in 1971 and 72. My main impression was that they were quite lethargic, but remarkably large and impressive.

Alan

 

[Fossa dude]

Thsnk you guys. Could someone elaborate more on the design of the Fern Canyon and Monkey house exhibit they were held in at San Diego and how man they saw. @ Tim May - Could you also describe that exhibit.

Correct me if I'm wrong but could someone tell me if this is true or false : That Pacarana were thought to be extinct but were rediscovered?

( thank you so much gentle Lemur - was that yours?)


Thank you

Fossa dude

 

[devilfish]

Just came across this thread - I saw a single Pacarana last summer at the Parque de las Leyendas in Peru (fuzzy photo here: http://www.zoochat.com/1108/pacarana-180436/). I only saw one on display in a fairly plain enclosure in the 'nocturnal house' area of the zoo. Like everyone else I really liked it, and found what gentle lemur said to be exactly true; impressive size but not very active. I didn't see any at Huachipa Zoo (also in Peru), despite three being listed on ISIS, but they may have been sleeping in a corner somewhere without signposts.

edit: And globalspecies.org is an alternative website for zoo species lists (but I've not found it to be too accurate from the occassions I've used it.)