Coendidae

/koʊˈɛndɪˌdi/ noun

Definition

A family of South American rodents, also called spiny rats or tree rats (Coendidae family).

Etymology

From Latin co- + end + -idae (systematic suffix for animal families). Scientific nomenclature of a rodent family, with the root possibly relating to spine or quill characteristics of these animals.

Kelly Says

Coendidae are spiny rats that look cute but are surprisingly tough—they live in trees and have prehensile tails, and scientists classified them as a whole family because their spines and tree-dwelling made them so distinctly different.

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