Biology of the Bahaman Hutia, Geocapromys ingrahami

Abstract

The sole surviving population of the Bahaman hutia, Geocapromys ingrahami, was studied on East Plana Cay, a small semiarid island in the Bahamas. Population density was estimated to be 30 per hectares or 21.3 kilograms per hectare. Reproduction takes place throughout the year. Food habits, behavior, and social interactions are described. The population has a comparatively high and apparently stable density and a high utilization of primary productivity. These features may be related to absence of predators and competitors and to the development of favorable physiological and behavioral responses including social tolerance to high density.