By Gwendolyn Webster
Geographic Range
Prehensile-tailed hutias (Mysateles prehensilis) are endemic to Cuba, and are primarily found on the western half of the island. ("Mysateles prehensilis", 2005; Poeppig, 1824)
Biogeographic Regions:
neotropical 
(native ).
Other Geographic Terms:
island endemic .
Habitat
Prehensile-tailed hutias occur in the woods, forested coasts, and mangrove areas of tropical Cuba. ("Hutias (Capromyidae)", 2003; "Mysateles prehensilis", 2005)
These animals are found in the following types of habitat:
tropical ; terrestrial .
Terrestrial Biomes:
forest .
Other:
riparian .
Physical Description
(3.08 to 4.18 lbs)
(21.65 to 29.53 in)
Varying in mass from 1.4 to 1.9 kg, and in length from 55 to 75 cm, prehensile-tailed hutias are the largest Mysateles species. The dorsal fur ranges in color from black to grey, while the ventral pelage often begins as white and then changes posteriorly to brown. The tail of M. prehensilis is partially prehensile and can be equal to 80% of the body's length. ("Hutias (Capromyidae)", 2003; "Mysateles prehensilis", 2005; Nowak, 1999)
Some key physical features:
endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry .
Reproduction
Little is known about the mating system of prehensile-tailed hutias, but two species in the same family, Geocapromys ingrahami and G. brownii, breed year round. Bahamanian hutias, G. ingrahami, have been observed mating and may use vocalizations to attract partners. (Anderson et al., 1983; Clough, 1972)
While reproduction in M. prehensilis is poorly understood, other members of the Capromyidae are known for having lengthy gestation periods and small, precocial litters. Geocapromys brownii produces 1 to 3 young after a 123 day gestation period; the young can eat solid foods roughly 30 hours after birth. Capromys pilorides, another capromyid found in Cuba, gives birth to fully furred offspring after 110 to 140 days. ("Hutias (Capromyidae)", 2003; Anderson et al., 1983)
Key reproductive features:
iteroparous ; year-round breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; viviparous .
Parental investment in M. prehensilis has not been investigated. Observations of G. ingrahami in captivity show that females will defend their young. Like other mammals, females nourish and care for their young until they are weaned. (Clough, 1972)
Parental investment:
pre-fertilization (provisioning, protecting: female); pre-hatching/birth (provisioning: female, protecting: female); pre-weaning/fledging (provisioning: female).
Lifespan/Longevity
There is no available information on the lifespan of M. prehensilis, but G. ingrahami can reach the age of 6 years in the wild. (Clough, 1974)
Behavior
The majority of hutias are active only at night, while prehensile-tailed hutias are partially diurnal. Their claws and semi-prehensile tail make them exceptional climbers and they exhibit an arboreal lifestyle. Hutias in general are characterized as social and both G. ingrahami and G. brownii participate in bonding activities such as allogrooming. Species in the family Capromyidae do not appear to be territorial. ("Hutias (Capromyidae)", 2003; Anderson et al., 1983; Clough, 1972)
Communication and Perception
Little information is available on the communication and perception of M. prehensilis in particular, but certain vocalizations are common among hutia species. Both G. brownii and G. ingrahami make nearly constant noises when conspecifics are close. Observations of G. ingrahami show that they make a different sound when threatened. This particular noise seems to draw other hutias into the area. Like other mammals, it's also likely that prehensile-tailed hutias use olfaction extensively in communicating with conspecifics. (Anderson et al., 1983; Clough, 1972)
Food Habits
The diet of prehensile-tailed hutias primarily consists of fruit, leaves, and bark. ("Hutias (Capromyidae)", 2003)
Plant Foods:
leaves; wood, bark, or stems; fruit.
Predation
Beyond humans, the predators of M. prehensilis remain unidentified. Remains of C. pilorides, another Cuban hutia, have been found in the stomachs of Cuban crocodiles, Crocodilus rhombifer. (De Sola, 1930)
Anti-predator adaptations::
cryptic .
Ecosystem Roles
Little information has been generated about the role of M. prehensilis in its ecosystem. They may help to disperse seeds through their frugivory. Prehensile-tailed hutias are carriers of two forms of chewing lice: Gliricola ewingi and Gliricola capromydis armatus. Both are ectoparasites found only on the fur of prehensile-tailed hutias. (Cardozo-de-Almeida, Linard, and Costa, 2003)
- Gliricola ewingi
- Gliricola capromydis armatus
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
There are no known adverse effects of M. prehensilis on humans.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Prehensile-tailed hutias are used as a food source by the people of Cuba. ("Hutias (Capromyidae)", 2003)
Ways that people benefit from these animals:
food .
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: [link]:
Lower Risk - Least Concern.
US Federal List: [link]:
No special status.
CITES: [link]:
No special status.
State of Michigan List: [link]:
No special status.
Only Desmarests' hutias (C. pilorides) are as common as prehensile-tailed hutias. All other hutias are at a much higher risk of extinction. (Ballie, 1996)
For More Information
Find Mysateles prehensilis information at
Contributors
Tanya Dewey (editor), Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.
Gwendolyn Webster (author), Michigan State University. Dr. Barbara Lundrigan 
(editor, instructor), Michigan State University.
