Branick's Giant Rat, Pacarana

The pacarana is a rare, slow-moving rodent native to the tropical forests of the western Amazon River basin and the foothills of the Andes Mountains in South America. This large rodent can weigh up to 15 kg (about 33 lbs) and grow to 79 cm (around 31 inches) in length, excluding its furry tail.

Pacaranas are nocturnal, meaning they are active at night, and they typically live in small family groups of four or five. Intriguingly, the pacarana is the only surviving member of the Dinomyidae family within the infraorder Caviomorpha. Despite bearing a resemblance to the paca, another type of rodent, they are not closely related.

Originally, scientists classified pacaranas as part of the superfamily Muroidea. However, recent studies have clarified that they belong to the Dinomyidae family, which also includes some extinct giant rodents, such as Phoberomys pattersoni and Josephoartigasia monesi.

Pacaranas have robust bodies and large heads, and they are adept climbers. When feeding, they often sit on their hind legs and use their forepaws to grasp their food. This distinctive behavior adds to their appeal and makes them fascinating creatures to observe.