Plate-toothed giant hutia (SciiFii)

The plate-toothed giant hutia (Elasmodontomys obliquus) is a species of large rodent in the family Heptaxodontidae native to Puerto Rico that was once extinct before the end of the Pleistocene, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and reintroduced to the species' former range. It is the sole species of the genus Elasmodontomys. Despite being described as a "giant hutia", it is actually more closely related to chinchillas and is a member of the infraorder, Chinchilloidea. The plate-toothed giant hutia is a rather large rodent, weighing on average of about 13 kilograms (29 lbs). The plate-toothed giant hutia is primarily a herbivore that feeds on a wide range of native edible vegetation. Plate-toothed giant hutias have no distinct breeding season, and females generally have about 1 to 3 young. The gestation period is between 140 to 190 days. On average, it takes almost 45 weeks for the young to be weaned. They live in pairs or family groups of the parents and babies. The plate-toothed giant hutias have an average lifespan of up to about 15 years, although reports of plate-toothed giant hutias living to be 18 or older is not uncommon. The conservation status of the plate-toothed giant hutia is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii