A burrowing ratlike rodent native to South America.
Family Ctenomyidae and genus Ctenomys: numerous species
‘The name ‘tuco-tuco’ comes from alarm calls in response to danger; other calls are also known in the more social species.’
‘This long-term line of research focuses on tuco-tucos as a model for the study of diversification.’
‘The one known exception is the social tuco-tuco, found in Argentina, which lives in colonies.’
‘Unlike the more than 50 other tuco-tuco species that live mostly solitary lives, C. sociabilis lives in colonies.’
‘Almost entirely subterranean, colonial tuco-tucos rarely leave their burrows except for brief forays to collect the grassy vegetation on which they feed.’
Origin
Mid 19th century imitative of the call of some species.
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