Lowland Paca
Lowland Paca, also known as the spotted paca, is a large rodent native to the tropical and subtropical forests of Central and South America. It is known for its distinctive spotted coat, burrowing lifestyle, and nocturnal habits. This species plays a critical role in forest ecosystems as both a seed disperser and a prey animal for larger predators. Despite its somewhat elusive nature, the lowland paca is an important game species in many regions due to its high-quality meat, which makes it a target for hunting.
Meet the Lowland Paca
Classification
The lowland paca is a robust, stocky rodent with a body length ranging from 60 to 78 cm (24 to 31 inches) and a short, barely visible tail measuring about 1 to 3 cm (0.4 to 1.2 inches). It stands around 35 cm (14 inches) tall at the shoulder and can weigh anywhere between 6 to 12 kg (13 to 26 pounds), with larger males reaching up to 15 kg (33 pounds).
Its fur is coarse and bristle-like, typically reddish-brown to dark brown on the upper body and lighter on the underside. One of its most striking features is the rows of white spots along its flanks, which serve as camouflage among the dappled light of the forest floor. The eyes are large and well-adapted for nocturnal vision, while the short, rounded ears and prominent whiskers help the animal navigate in the dark.
The lowland paca has sturdy limbs adapted for digging, equipped with four toes on the front feet and five on the hind feet, each with strong claws. Despite their bulky build, pacas are excellent swimmers, using their webbed feet to navigate through rivers and lakes when escaping predators.
Where Does the Lowland Paca Live?
Biogeographic Realm: Neotropic
Continents: Americas
Subcontinents: Caribbean, Central America, South America, North America, Polynesia
Countries: Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras [Show all countries]
Habitats (IUCN): Forest
The lowland paca has a wide distribution across Neotropical regions, extending from eastern and central Mexico through Central America and into northern Argentina, Paraguay, and southeastern Brazil. It is also found in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. In some regions, it overlaps with its close relative, the mountain paca (Cuniculus taczanowskii), though they prefer different elevations.
This species prefers dense, humid forests, particularly lowland rainforests, gallery forests along rivers, and deciduous forests. They are most commonly found in areas close to water sources, such as rivers, swamps, and lakes, which provide both food and escape routes from predators. Pacas dig extensive burrow systems in riverbanks or under dense vegetation, often with multiple exits to avoid predation.
In addition to primary forests, they can adapt to disturbed environments, including secondary forests, plantations, and agricultural fields, though they tend to avoid open areas with little cover. Their reliance on water and dense vegetation makes habitat destruction a significant threat to their populations.
What Do Lowland Pacas Eat?
The lowland paca is a herbivore with a diet primarily consisting of fruits, seeds, leaves, and roots. It plays a crucial role in the ecosystem as a seed disperser, particularly for large-seeded fruits such as avocados, mangos, and guavas. Some of their other preferred food sources include nuts, tubers, and palm fruits.
Pacas are primarily foragers, searching the forest floor for fallen fruits and occasionally digging up roots and tubers. Their large, chisel-like incisors allow them to crack open tough seeds and hard-shelled fruits. Due to their well-developed digestive system, they can process high-fiber plant material efficiently.
Unlike some rodents that store food, pacas consume their meals immediately. They are most active during the night, when they venture out of their burrows to search for food, covering large distances in search of seasonal fruiting trees.
What Eats Lowland Pacas? – Predators & Natural Enemies
Lowland pacas have several natural predators, including large carnivores such as jaguars, ocelots, pumas, and bush dogs. These stealthy predators rely on ambush tactics to catch the usually alert pacas.
Birds of prey, such as harpy eagles and large owls, may occasionally prey on juvenile pacas. Snakes, such as boa constrictors and anacondas, may also prey on younger or smaller individuals.
Due to their nocturnal and burrowing nature, pacas have evolved excellent escape tactics. They use their strong swimming abilities to evade land predators by diving into water and remaining submerged for extended periods. Their burrow systems, often with multiple exits, also provide a safe retreat from danger.
Behavior & Lifestyle
Lowland pacas are nocturnal, spending most of the day hidden inside burrows or dense vegetation. They emerge at dusk to forage, relying on their keen sense of smell, hearing, and night vision to locate food.
They are solitary or found in pairs, with monogamous pairs often occupying the same territory. Pacas are highly territorial and will defend their burrows and feeding grounds against intruders. When threatened, they produce deep grunts or growls and may even use their powerful incisors to bite aggressors.
Communication between pacas includes low-frequency sounds, scent marking, and foot-stamping, which helps in warning potential rivals or attracting mates. When disturbed, they produce a loud bark-like noise before fleeing.
How Do Lowland Pacas Reproduce?
Lowland pacas have a relatively slow reproductive rate compared to other rodents. They are monogamous, with a breeding pair establishing and defending their shared territory. Mating can occur year-round, but there are peaks in reproductive activity during the rainy season, when food is more abundant.
The gestation period lasts around 114 to 119 days, after which the female gives birth to a single well-developed offspring. Unlike many rodents that have large litters, pacas invest heavily in parental care, ensuring the young is strong and well-protected. The newborn is precocial, meaning it is born with fur, open eyes, and the ability to walk within hours.
The mother nurses the young for several months, but the juvenile will begin consuming solid food early on. Young pacas remain close to their mothers for a while before becoming independent. The lifespan of a lowland paca in the wild is typically 6 to 12 years, though they may live longer in captivity.
Are Lowland Pacas Endangered? – Conservation Status & Threats
The lowland paca is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, but populations are declining in some regions due to hunting, habitat loss, and deforestation.
- Hunting: Pacas are heavily hunted for their meat, which is considered a delicacy in many parts of their range.
- Deforestation: The clearing of forests for agriculture and urban expansion is reducing their natural habitat.
- Competition with livestock: In some regions, the presence of livestock reduces food availability for pacas.
Despite these threats, pacas adapt well to secondary forests and even some agricultural settings, which helps sustain their populations. However, better conservation efforts and sustainable hunting regulations are needed to ensure their long-term survival.
