You've heard about the tuco tuco? If you live in the south of our country, probably yes! It is a rodent found in southern Brazil and also in other parts of South America. There are 60 species of tuco-tucos catalogued, all belonging to the genus Ctenomys. In Brazil, it is estimated that there are eight different species of this mammal.
You tuco tucos they are similar to furry rats, measuring about 25 centimeters, have a short tail and have a fur color that varies according to the species. O Ctenomys flamarioni, for example, has a coat similar to the color of sand, which helps a lot as a form of defense. O Ctenomus torquatus, in turn, has a more brownish hair color, in addition to a white spot on the neck region. In general, it is possible to say that the hair varies from sand to black.
They are animals who live underground, digging galleries underground that can reach up to 15 meters in length. The habit of digging holes explains their well-developed nails and musculature. These rodents are particularly fond of sandy places such as dunes.
They feed mainly on grasses and roots of some plants. They are animals that like to live alone and, when they feel threatened, males emit a characteristic sound. It is this noise that gave rise to its popular name: Tuco-tuco.
They are very difficult to see because spend most of their lives inside their dens. Although they leave their homes little and don't have much contact with our species, they are not aggressive when they spot a human.
The tuco-tucos run serious risks of extinction, mainly due to human action in the environment. Every day the areas where these animals live are more destroyed by deforestation for agriculture or for building houses. The species that live in the coastlines they often suffer from the construction of sidewalks on the beaches, the famous sidewalks.
Want to know more about tuco-tucos? Enter the website of Tuco-tuco Project, a project linked to UFRGS (Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul), and learn more about them!
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* Image credits: Wikimedia commons and Claudio Dias Timm
By Ma. Vanessa dos Santos
