CR

Dwarf Hutia

Mesocapromys nanus

Unknown

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The dwarf hutia faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to deforestation and agricultural expansion across its limited range in Cuba. Introduced predators, particularly cats and dogs, pose significant predation pressure on this small rodent species. Hurricane damage and climate change effects further fragment and degrade the remaining forest patches essential for its survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

Mesocapromys nanus inhabits dense tropical forests and woodland areas in Cuba, preferring areas with thick canopy cover and abundant vegetation. The species requires undisturbed forest environments with suitable nesting sites in tree hollows or dense undergrowth.

Forest· majorGrassland· majorWetlands (inland) - Bogs, marshes, swamps, fens· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recovery

Other threatened species in CAPROMYIDAE

Bahamian HutiaCR

Bahamian Hutia

Geocapromys ingrahami

Declining
VU

Black-tailed Hutia

Mysateles melanurus

Declining
Jamaican HutiaEN

Jamaican Hutia

Geocapromys brownii

Declining
CR

Little Earth Hutia

Mesocapromys sanfelipensis

Unknown

Threatened in Cuba

VU

Tropical Pine

Pinus tropicalis

Declining
Oriente Yellow-mottled FrogVU

Oriente Yellow-mottled Frog

Eleutherodactylus ricordii

Declining
EN

Aristolochia clementis

Unknown
VU

Bauhinia dipetala

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Dwarf Hutia classified as Critically Endangered?
Dwarf Hutia is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The dwarf hutia faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to deforestation and agricultural expansion across its limited range in Cuba. Introduced predators, particularly cats and dogs, pose significant predation pressure on this small rodent species. Hurricane damage and climate change effects further fragment and degrade the remaining forest patches essential for its survival.
Where does Dwarf Hutia live?
Dwarf Hutia occurs in Cuba. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Dwarf Hutia?
The main threats to Dwarf Hutia are 5.3, 8.1, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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