Give Hutia a Chance

Courtesy Photo | Hutia, commonly referred to as 'banana rats' by Naval Station Guantanamo Bay troopers, are nocturnal mammals whose population is in danger of becoming extinct. Through a partnership with the Toledo Zoo, scientists are working to understand the habit and habitat of the creatures through radio collar tracking, to determine what we can do to protect them from further extinction.  

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

08.08.2008

Story by Staff Sgt. Emily McCamy 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA – To many, the Hutia commonly referred to as a Banana Rat, is just that – a rat. There is little public knowledge about it. Troopers at Joint Task Force Guantanamo were asked if they would rather have a banana rat or an iguana as a house pet. Everyone said iguana. So, where's the love for the Hutia?

Hutia are a fixture of U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. In fact, you can find T-shirts at the gift shop that feature their likeness. But they carry a negative image as being dirty and a nuisance on base.

"When I first saw one [dead in the road] I thought they were disgusting because it just looked like a giant rat," said Lt. Col. Doris Acevedo, officer in charge of the Personnel Directorate here.

"I started reading about them, and I realized they are rodents, not rats," she continued. "Eventually I saw live ones and started to like them. I think they're cute, and would enjoy one as a pet."

Don't be fooled by how common Hutias are around base – they are considered endangered. Fifteen of 27 species known to science have become extinct, with the remaining 12 seriously endangered. In Cuba, all species of Hutia are protected. However, protection is rarely enforced.

The Hutia that inhabit Guantanamo Bay thrive here. As nocturnal creatures, they spend most of their day lounging in trees or cactus, cohabitating in their family groups. At night, they come out to feed, mostly on vegetation such as leaves, fruit and tree bark – but they won't turn down an occasional lizard.

Hutia are territorial creatures and tend to stay within their home area. They mark their territory with urine as well as small piles of banana-shaped feces, which earned them the name 'banana rat.'

During dry seasons, it is not uncommon for Hutia to roam into residential areas looking for lush vegetation. Plants serve as their primary water source, so when their grazing territory is affected by drought, they won't discriminate against eating ornamental plants, as opposed to native vegetation. Hutia have been known to gnaw on radiator hoses, wires and even fiber optic cables, which contributes to their negative image and may cause conflict with the human population here.

Officials from the base here have been working with Ohio's Toledo Zoo through a partnership that initially began as an opportunity to study the Cuban Boa. As the study progressed, scientists expanded their research to include the Hutia, the boa's prey.

During a visit earlier this year, members from the zoo worked with personnel from the Naval Station and Joint Task Force Guantanamo to trap, radio-collar and track the Hutia, all in an effort to understand their habitat and habits. The study is still underway.

Not much is known about any species of the Hutia, though the opportunity to collect data and further study the local ecosystem here will provide some insight to better understand and appreciate native inhabitants like the Hutia.

• Date Taken: 08.08.2008
• Date Posted: 08.13.2008 15:08
• Story ID: 22462
• Location: GUANTANAMO BAY, CU