a robust nocturnal South American rodent that has a reddish-brown coat patterned with rows of white spots. It is hunted for its flesh, which commands high prices 兔豚鼠
Genus Agouti, family Dasyproctidae: two species, in particular A. paca 兔豚鼠属,刺豚鼠科:2种,尤指兔豚鼠(拉丁名A. paca)
语源
mid 17th cent.: via Spanish and Portuguese from Tupi