Albuquerque-Lima, Sinzinando ， Taylor, Nigel P. ， Zappi, Daniela C.
2026 BRADLEYA 2026 44(卷), null(期), (28-37页)
The rock cavy or Moco, Kerodon rupestris, a caviomorph rodent that inhabits rock outcrops in the Caatinga and adjacent seasonally dry areas, is recognised for its predominantly herbivorous diet. Although the consumption of succulent plant parts is widely documented for the species, there are few detailed records regarding its use of cacti as a food resource. In this work, we describe field observations on the selective consumption of different cacti species by K. ruperstris, emphasising the removal of soft and succulent tissues, often leaving the woody portions and spines intact. This behaviour was recorded in multiple independent events and involved both columnar and flat-segmented cacti. In this note, we discuss consumption patterns, possible morphofunctional adaptations associated with the herbivory of spiny cacti, and the ecological implications of this behaviour in semi-arid environments.