Abstract Capromys pilorides (Say, 1822), Desmarest’s hutia, is one of the world’s largest rodents; body mass of adults typically exceeds 3 kg. It occurs only on Cuba, although fossil remains from the late Quaternary Period have been found on the Cayman Islands. Capromys pilorides is widely distributed throughout the Cuban archipelago where it occurs at elevations from sea level to 1,200 m. Capromys pilorides can be terrestrial or arboreal depending on habitat and has a generalist phytophagous diet. It forms social groups and has a polygynous mating system. The conservation status of Capromys pilorides was most recently assessed in 2008, and it is currently listed as “Least Concern” (LC) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Red List of Threatened Species.