Desmarest's hutia is a large rodent endemic to Cuba, typically reaching a body mass of 3–5 kg. It is adapted to a variety of habitats, including mangroves, montane forests, and coastal semi-arid areas, and is active both on the ground and in trees. Primarily herbivorous, it also consumes insects and small reptiles, using a large cecum and a complex stomach to ferment and digest plant matter and increasing digestive efficiency through coprophagy. It has a social, group-living structure, breeds year-round, and its conservation status is Near Threatened.