North American rocky cavy (SciiFii)

A North American rocky cavy (Kerodon petra) is a species of cavy that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced to the Rocky Mountains and nearby hills and mountains across North America to help boost biodiversity. A North American rock cavy is a fairly large rodent weighing up to 1 kg (2.2 lb). Like other cavy species, the North American rock cavies' tails are vestigial or absent. Their backs are grey-brown and their bellies tan to light brown. They are herbivorous, feeding on seeds and leaves of the scrubby vegetation that grows in their territories. This vegetation consists of tender leaves and certain species of creeper. The North American rock cavies usually shelter in crevices. They may be seen resting at all times of day, but are crepuscular, active mostly at dawn and dusk. They are able to climb which makes reaching leaves, seeds, and occasional fruits easier. They live in groups, centered around rock-sheltered dens. Each North American rock cavy group has an alpha or dominant male and several females. The males are territorial, defending rock pile shelters against other adult males. The rock piles are chosen to impress the females; once a female chooses a rock pile, she indirectly chooses its guardian as her mate. Females weigh 700-800 grams and give birth to two or three young, but several litters per year are common. The gestation period averages 70 days. The newborn cavies weigh 90 grams. The conservation status of the North American rock cavy is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the North American rock cavy's wide range and its tolerance to most of the human activities.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii