Pacarana
VU

Pacarana

Dinomys branickii

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacarana

Overview

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

The Pacarana faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as Andean cloud forests are cleared for agriculture and cattle ranching throughout its range. Hunting for meat represents an additional significant threat, as these large, slow-moving rodents are easily captured and highly valued as bushmeat in rural communities. Mining activities and road construction in montane regions further fragment the species' already restricted habitat, while climate change threatens to shift suitable cloud forest zones to higher elevations.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Pacarana inhabits humid montane cloud forests and upper tropical rainforests along the eastern slopes of the Andes, typically at elevations between 1,000-2,000 meters. These specialized ecosystems provide the dense vegetation cover and abundant plant matter essential for this large herbivorous rodent's survival.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Frequently asked questions

Why is Pacarana classified as Vulnerable?
Pacarana is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Pacarana faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as Andean cloud forests are cleared for agriculture and cattle ranching throughout its range. Hunting for meat represents an additional significant threat, as these large, slow-moving rodents are easily captured and highly valued as bushmeat in rural communities. Mining activities and road construction in montane regions further fragment the species' already restricted habitat, while climate change threatens to shift suitable cloud forest zones to higher elevations.
Where does Pacarana live?
Pacarana occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Pacarana?
The main threats to Pacarana are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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