Isla De La Juventud tree hutia facts for kids

The Isla De La Juventud tree hutia or southern hutia (Mysateles prehensilis meridionalis) is a special type of rodent that lives only on Isla de la Juventud in Cuba. It's a subspecies of the prehensile-tailed hutia. This small mammal makes its home in the wet lowland forests of the island.

Sadly, the Isla De La Juventud tree hutia is in great danger. It is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List, which means it's very close to disappearing forever. Its biggest threat is habitat loss, meaning the forests where it lives are shrinking.

What is a Hutia?

Hutias are a group of rodents that are native to the Caribbean islands. They are often called "tree rats" or "tree rodents" because many of them live in trees. Hutias are related to guinea pigs and capybaras.

The Isla De La Juventud tree hutia is part of the Capromyinae subfamily, which includes all the different kinds of hutias. They are unique to the islands where they live.

Where Does it Live?

This specific hutia lives only on Isla de la Juventud, which is an island south of the main island of Cuba. It prefers the lowland moist forests, which are warm and humid places with lots of trees. These forests provide the food and shelter that the hutias need to survive.

Being "endemic" means that this animal is found nowhere else in the world. This makes it very special and important to protect.

Why is it Endangered?

The main reason the Isla De La Juventud tree hutia is in trouble is habitat loss. This happens when forests are cut down for farming, building, or other human activities. When their homes disappear, these hutias have nowhere to live and find food.

Because they only live in one small area, they are very sensitive to changes in their environment. If their forest home is destroyed, they cannot simply move somewhere else. Protecting their forest habitat is key to their survival.

Its Scientific Name

The Isla De La Juventud tree hutia was first described by a scientist named Varona in 1986. Its scientific name is Mysateles prehensilis meridionalis.

It was once thought to be its own separate species. However, scientists have studied its DNA and found that it is actually a subspecies of the prehensile-tailed hutia (M. prehensilis). This means it's a distinct group within that species, but still closely related.

See also

In Spanish: Mysateles meridionalis para niños