Hutias in GURPS

Hutias are a group of Caribbean rodents, ranging in size from about as big as a rat to about as big as a muskrat. They range from terrestrial to arboreal, and herbivorous to somewhat omnivorous. These rodents do not typically dig their own burrows, but live in rock crevices or hollow trees. Hutias are typically social and live in small family groups. They maintain social bonds by grooming each other and play-wrestling, and scent mark to keep in touch with each other.

There are many species of hutia, a number of which are extinct or extremely endangered. A selection of hutias are described below.

• The Desmarest's hutia Capromys pilorides is a common species found in cuba. It is one of the largest of the hutias, and lives in forests, marshes, and mountains. This species is a good climber. On the ground, they usually move with a slow, waddling motion but can escape rapidly with a series of jumps if needed. Desmarest's hutias are generally shy and wary of humans.
• Jamaican hutias Geocapromys brownii are short-tailed hutias that live in exposed limestone of central Jamaica. At night they forage for food in shrubby areas. They are secretive and nocturnal, and although they may be locally common they are seldom seen. If threatened they chatter their teeth.
• The Bahamian hutia Geocapromys ingrahami is a short-tailed rat-sized rodent that lives in trees and on the ground in the Bahamas and other caribbean islands, as well as northern Venezuela.
• The prehensile-tailed hutia Mysateles prehensilis, as its name suggests, has a prehensile tail that it uses for climbing. It lives in the forests of Cuba.

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