Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Photographs on this web-site were taken by Paul Smith, Hemme Batjes, Regis Nossent,
Alberto Esquivel, Arne Lesterhuis, José Luis Cartes, Rebecca Zarza and Hugo del Castillo and are used with their permission.
CTENOMYIDAE - TUCO-TUCOS
Three species of largely subterranean rodent that present an identification challenge. Body is robust with a short thick neck, cylindrical body and large head. Small eyes, small, rounded ears and short legs with long, strong claws are adaptations for living underground. Tail is short and cylindrical. The pelage is thick. Huge orange incisors are strong, broad and prominent. Molars and premolars kidney-shaped, the arch of the “kidney” facing outwards. Most species rarely emerge from tunnel systems where they feed on roots.
Skull: Square with short, broad snout. Broad zygomatic arch. Jugal processes always present.
REFERENCES
Diaz MM & Barquez RM 2002 - Los Mamíferos de Jujuy, Argentina - LOLA
Emmons LH & Feer F 1999 - Mamíferos de los Bosques Húmedos de América Tropical - FAN Bolivia
Redford K 1992 - Mammals of the Neotropics Vol 2: The Southern Cone Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay - University of Chicago Press.
