Echimyidae, from Greek ἐχῖνος (ekhînos, “hedgehog”) and Greek μῦς (mûs, “mouse, rat”), means “spiny rat”, in reference to the fact that these animals resemble rats in appearance, but have spiky hair.

Common names of members

Spiny rats, armored-rats, bamboo-rat, nutrias, guiaras, hutias.

Distribution  

South America, Central America and Greater Antilles.

Size

Their size varies from 15–21 cm in length and 100–250 g in weight to 40–60 cm and 4–9 kg.

Morphology

In general form, most species resemble rats, ranging, between species, from the size of a mouse to the proportions of possums and beavers. Most species have stiff, pointed hairs, or spines.

Habitat & Ecology

Members range from fully arboreal to terrestrial to fossorial to semiaquatic habits across rainforests, savannas, rivers, lakes, swamps, mangroves and arid shrublands.

Diet

These species have a wide variety of eating patterns, from herbivorous and omnivorous species to specialists who only eat specific types of fungi, aquatic insects, or earthworms. The majority of species eat small invertebrates and plant matter; they frequently store seeds and other plant materials for eating in the winter. 

Reproduction 

Most species probably play different polygamous systems (female or a male mates with two or more members of the opposite sex).

Species known in Hong Kong

0.

Total species known

93

Species in the collection

2

Species in Hong Kong

0

Reference

Macdonald, D. W. (2006). The Encyclopedia of mammals. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acref/9780199206087.001.0001.

Savage, R. J. G., Long, M. R. (1986). Mammal Evolution: an illustrated guide. Facts on File.

Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (2005). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Johns Hopkins University Press.

Marisol, A. M. (1999). Population Ecology of Proechimys guairae (Rodentia: Echimyidae). Journal of Mammalogy, 80(2), 487–498. https://doi.org/10.2307/1383295.