Paca

Paca, any individual of the American rodent genus Coelogenys, with a single species (C. paca), ranging from Guatemala to Paraguay. With the Agoutis the Pacas constitute the family Dasyproctidae. These animals are about 2 feet long, stoutly-built, yellowish-brown above and whitish below, with from three to five longitudinal bands of white spots on each side. They run fast and swim well, are partially nocturnal in habit, and generally burrow near water. Their diet is exclusively vegetable, and they do considerable damage in gardens and sugar-plantations. The flesh is esteemed a delicacy.