Juventud Rebelde daily said the program --operational from 2004 at Ana Maria keys, south the central province of Ciego de Avila-is aimed at preserving the specie from indiscriminate hunting.

Some 50 holes (nests) have been found inhabited by six to eight hutias each at mangrove swamps in La Salina, Ciego de Avila, 400 km from the capital.

Cuban Hutias own the remarkable feature of 2 constrictions that divide its stomach into 3 compartments. This makes it the most complex stomach found in rodents.

It lives on fruits, leaves, bark, lizards and other small animals and come in different colors. It is rather found on the ground despite of the fact that the specie has toed feet to climb on trees.

The gestation period of the Cuban hutia is between 110-140 days. After this time 1-6, but generally 2 fully developed young are born.

The young are well developed at birth, fully haired, open eyed, and capable of most adult movements.

After 10 days they begin taking solid food, although they are not fully weaned for at least a month and a half (5 months for the Cuban hutia). They become sexually mature at the age of 10 months.

By: Prensa-Latina