English

A tuco-tuco

Wikispecies

Noun

tuco-tuco ‎(plural tuco-tucos)

1. Any of the caviomorph rodents of the genus Ctenomys (the sole extant genus of family Ctenomyidae), which have a large head, small ears, and hairy tail.
   • 2002, International Wildlife Encyclopedia, Volume 20: Tree squirrel - water spider, 3rd Edition, page 2772,

     Tuco-tucos groom themselves to remove loose sand from their fur by combing with the stiff bristles that grow near the bases of the hind claws.

   • 2010, Joseph F. Merritt, The Biology of Small Mammals, page 76,

     The eyes of tuco-tucos are almost level with the top of the head, which is adaptive for surveying the horizon from their shelter without exposing themselves to predators.

   • 2011, Erin McCloskey, Argentina, page 56,

     The tuco-tuco is a vegetarian rodent very similar in appearance and behaviour to the ground squirrel.

Synonyms

• (any species of family Ctenomyidae): ctenomyid