Mammals Active at night

Spotted Paca

Cuniculus paca

iNaturalist Wikipedia

Meet the 'Forest Gardener' of the tropics. With its striking white spots and nocturnal habits, the Spotted Paca is one of the most unique and elusive rodents in the Americas.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

straighten

Size

Length: 60-80 cm (24-31 in); Weight: 6-12 kg (13-26 lbs)

palette

Colors

Dark brown to reddish-black coat with 4 to 7 horizontal rows of white spots along the flanks; creamy white underbelly

visibility

Key Features

Distinctive horizontal rows of white spots on sides
Large, blunt head with noticeably swollen cheekbones
Stocky, powerful body with short legs
Small, barely visible tail

When You’ll See Them

schedule

Activity pattern Active at night

brightness_5

Peak hours 9 PM - 3 AM

calendar_month

Season Year-round

restaurant

Diet Frugivorous; primarily eats fallen fruits, seeds, tubers, and occasionally leaves. They play a vital role in seed dispersal.

park

Habitat Dense tropical rainforests, gallery forests near rivers, swamps, and occasionally well-vegetated suburban forest edges.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Spotted Paca Live?

Native to the lush tropical and sub-tropical regions of the Americas, the Spotted Paca's range stretches from east-central Mexico down through Central America into the heart of South America, reaching as far as northern Argentina. They are common throughout the Amazon Basin in countries like Brazil, Peru, and Colombia, and have also been successfully introduced to Cuba and parts of Algeria.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

9 Countries

15.5M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

BR Brazil PE Peru CO Colombia MX Mexico VE Venezuela BO Bolivia PY Paraguay AR Argentina Cuba

eco

iNaturalist / Verified observation data

View on iNaturalist open_in_new

Explore more Mammals arrow_forward

Behavior

The Spotted Paca is a shy, nocturnal mammal that spends its daylight hours tucked away in complex underground burrows or hollow logs. They are primarily solitary and highly territorial, often marking their paths with scent to navigate the dense undergrowth of the jungle floor. One of their most fascinating physical traits is their enlarged zygomatic arches (cheekbones), which act as resonance chambers, allowing them to produce loud, vibrating tooth-grinding sounds to warn off intruders.

While they are terrestrial, Spotted Pacas are exceptional swimmers and never stray too far from a water source. When a predator like a jaguar or ocelot threatens them, their first instinct is to dive into a nearby stream or river, where they can remain submerged or partially hidden for several minutes. In areas where they are not hunted, they can become somewhat accustomed to human presence, but they generally remain one of the more elusive sightings for backyard observers.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

Capturing a Spotted Paca on camera requires patience and a focus on water. Because these rodents are semi-aquatic and highly dependent on hydration, place your AI-powered camera along the muddy banks of creeks, ponds, or slow-moving streams. Position the camera low to the ground—no higher than 12 to 18 inches—to get a clear side-profile of their unique spotting pattern and to avoid overshooting their stocky frame.

Since Pacas are strictly nocturnal, ensure your camera has a high-quality infrared (IR) flash that won't spook them. Using a 'No-Glow' IR flash is preferable, as these animals are naturally skittish and may avoid an area if they detect a red glow or sudden light. Set your camera to take short video clips (10-15 seconds) rather than just stills; this allows you to observe their unique 'bobbing' walk and tooth-grinding behavior.

To attract them to your field of view, look for fallen fruit from native trees like figs, avocados, or mangos. If you are in a suburban edge environment, a small pile of fallen fruit or even sweet potatoes can serve as an effective lure. Because they follow established 'game trails' through the brush, look for worn paths in the leaf litter leading toward water sources and face your camera down the length of the trail for the best results.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Spotted Paca.

Central American Agouti

Active during the day and lacks the white spots found on the Paca's flanks.

Mountain Paca

Found at much higher altitudes in the Andes and has longer, thicker fur to cope with the cold.

Capybara

Much larger (up to 150 lbs), lacks spots, and is highly social rather than solitary.

Browse all Mammals arrow_forward

Frequently Asked Questions

Spotted Pacas are strictly nocturnal, meaning they are most active during the darkest hours of the night, typically between 9 PM and 3 AM. They spend their days sleeping in burrows.

If you live within their range, you can attract them by maintaining a quiet, densely vegetated yard near a water source. Providing fallen fruits like mangoes, guavas, or avocados can also encourage them to visit.

Their diet consists almost entirely of fallen fruit and seeds. They are known as 'forest gardeners' because they help spread the seeds of tropical trees across the forest floor.

They are generally forest-dwellers, but they can be found in suburban areas that border dense woodlands or river corridors, provided there is enough cover for them to hide during the day.

The easiest way to tell them apart is the markings: Pacas have rows of white spots, while Agoutis have solid or grizzled coats. Also, Pacas are nocturnal and much larger, whereas Agoutis are active during the day.

Record Spotted Paca at your habitat

Connect a camera to start building your own species record — AI identifies every visitor automatically.

Join free Identify a photo