Protected under the WildLife Protection Act

Jamaican Coney

Class: Mammalia

Appearance

The Coney, or Jamaican Hutia(Geocapromys brownii) is similar to guinea pigs.  Large head, short ears, neck, legs and tail.  Tail clothed in short stiff black hair.

Dark reddish brown.

Adults weigh about 1000 - 2000 g.

Shy rodents, nocturnal, i.e., active at night.  Twins are frequently born.

Habitat

Mostly found in the remote mountainous regions of eastern, central and southern Jamaica.  John Crow Mountains of Portland and St. Thomas, Hellshire areas of St. Catherine, Braziletto Mountains,  Clarendon and Cockpit Country.  Shelters in holes in limestone for safety, and to rear their young.

Feeding Habit

Emerges at night to feed on a wide variety of fruit, vegetables and seeds.   The plants include Spanish needle, guinea grass, cowitch, bastard cedar, bananas and oranges.

Survival Threats

Destruction of habitat through deforestation and development.

Predation by man and introduced species, such as dogs, cats and pigs.

Why They Need Protection

Half of the worlds's conies are extinct, and there is concern that the Jamaican Coney will also disappear soon, if the factors contributing to their decline are not stemmed.

Protection By Law

Listed as a Protected Species under the Wild Life Protection Act (1945)

Hunting in Forest reserves is also prohibited under the Forest Act (1996)