paca

Thân thiện

A paca emerges from its burrow in the forest.

Definition

Noun: 1. A large, burrowing rodent native to Central and South America: A paca is a nocturnal, herbivorous mammal of the genus Cuniculus, characterized by a stout body, short legs, and distinctive rows of white spots along its brown fur. It is known for digging extensive burrows. 2. An animal highly valued for its meat: The paca is considered a game animal and its meat is a prized food source in its native regions.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The paca is a shy animal that is rarely seen during the day.
  • Hunters track the paca at night when it leaves its burrow to forage.
  • In many local markets, paca meat is sold at a premium price.

Advanced Usage

• The term "paca" is used specifically for this genus of rodent and is not a general term. It is often preceded by regional names, such as the "lowland paca" ().

Variants and Related Words

• Spotted paca: Another common name for the animal, referring directly to its distinctive spotted coat.
• Agouti: While also a rodent from the same regions, the agouti is a different, smaller genus () and is not a synonym for paca.

Synonyms

• Cuniculus paca (scientific name)
• Spotted cavy (less common)

Related Terms (Contextual)

• Rodent: The biological order (Rodentia) to which the paca belongs.
• Game animal: A classification for wild animals hunted for food or sport.
• Burrower: A descriptive term for an animal that digs and lives in tunnels.

Học thuật

Noun

1. large burrowing rodent of South America and Central America; highly esteemed as food

Từ đồng nghĩa

• cuniculus paca