Reader Richard sends this along from Barbados, a photo of a mystery beast:

Is it a kind of deer?  A bunny?  Some kind of kangaroo?

None of the above, it turns out.

This is actually the endangered Hutia Conga, native to Cuba.

Developed as an attempt to fill the notorious Cuteness Gap during the Cold War, the Hutia was a key part of the island’s defenses.  It is said that Fidel Castro personally oversaw the breeding of the Hutia in secret underground labs.  In case of a second U.S. invasion, massive numbers of Hutia would be released on the shores.  Incoming troops would theoretically be stopped in their tracks.

Wallaby?  Giant hare?  Pudu with giant flat trotters?  The invaders would be stopped cold by wonder.

Unfortunately, now that the Cold War is over, the Hutia’s numbers have fallen.

The Hutia Conga, in fact, is a large variety of rodent.  A giant Cuban rodent. 

A giant Cuban bunnyroo pudurodent that likes cigars.

Now it can be told.