What is a "hutia"?

Hutias are small to medium-sized rodents that inhabit various islands in the Caribbean. They have stocky bodies, short legs, and long, bushy tails. Their fur can be of various colors, ranging from brown to gray or black, depending on the species. Hutias are known for their herbivorous diet, consisting of leaves, fruits, seeds, and other plant material. They are well-adapted to their environments, with some species having unique features such as webbed feet for swimming or climbing abilities for navigating trees. Hutias play important ecological roles as seed dispersers, helping to maintain the biodiversity of their island habitats. They are also considered to be important in the cultural heritage of some Caribbean islands, where they are sometimes kept as pets or used as a food source.