The Hispaniolan hutia (Plagiodontia aedium) is a small, threatened, rat-like mammal endemic to forests on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola (split between Haiti and the Dominican Republic).

Wild specimens are reported to be active only at night; they hide during the day, feed mainly on roots and fruits, and live in male-female pairs.

Specimens of the P. a. hylaeum subspecies were caught in December in hollow trees near a lagoon; four pregnant females each contained a single embryo.

Recorded gestation has been 123–150 days and litter sizes of one to two young in this species, which are highly precocial, unlike most rodents, which are totally helpless when born.

Recent surveys in Haiti have found P. aedium to be living as remnant populations in the southeast and on the Massif de la Hotte.

The IUCN Red List classifies P. aedium as "least concern" as of 2024, though its population is declining due to loss of forest habitat, human hunting and predation by non-native animals such as dogs.

[3] Its presence in several protected areas has recently been confirmed by a Darwin Initiative–funded project known as The Last Survivors;[4] these include Jaragua, Del Este, Los Haitises, and Sierra de Bahoruco National Parks.