paca

American  

[pah-kuh, pak-uh] / ˈpɑ kə, ˈpæk ə /

noun

1. a large, white-spotted, almost tailless rodent, Agouti paca, of Central and South America, having features resembling a guinea pig and rabbit: valued as food.

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paca British  

/ ˈpɑːkə, ˈpækə /

noun

1. a large burrowing hystricomorph rodent, Cuniculus paca, of Central and South America, having white-spotted brown fur and a large head: family Dasyproctidae

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Etymology

Origin of paca

1650–60; < Spanish or Portuguese < Tupi

Example Sentences

Fish such as wolf fish, peacock bass, and South American lungfish were especially common, accompanied by reptiles including caimans and turtles, and mammals such as capybaras, pacas, and armadillos.

From Science Daily

The shelters were also occupied by the living, who made tools and cooked, evidenced by the buried bones of armadillos, deer and a type of rodent called a paca, Dr. Prufer said.

From New York Times

“There was this one time when he went to prepare the paca” — she stuck her tongue out and panted — “and it was so hot!”

From Los Angeles Times

Monteza believes the highway research could help push authorities to create wildlife crossings for armadillos, the rodents known as lowland pacas and agoutis, and other animals.

From Seattle Times

In 2011, the hunters were suddenly far more efficient at catching the animals, almost doubling the amount of paca meat they could catch in 1 hour.

From Science Magazine