Three subspecies are recognised: M. p. prehensilis (mainland Cuba), Mysateles p. gundlachi (North Isla de la Juventud), and M. p. meridionalis (South Isla de la Juventud) (Turvey et al. 2017).

Considering the possible extirpation of one subpopulation and reported declines in other fragmented subpopulations, it is plausible that this species has undergone a reduction in the region of 20–30% over the previous three generations (30 years). It is at risk of predation by invasive species, loss of forest habitat and hunting. In particular, the threat of hunting has intensified over recent years, having at least tripled in rural and coastal areas, including in protected areas. This species is therefore assessed as Near Threatened.

This species occurs across mainland Cuba from Pinar del Rio Province in the West to Bolivia town in the East in Ciego de Avila Province (Borroto-Páez and Espinosa Romo 2011). On the Isle of Youth, the population of subspecies Mysateles m. gundlachi is scarce, and M. m. meridionalis is almost (or possibly already) extinct following declines (Borroto-Páez and Ramos 2003, Borroto-Páez 2011, Borroto-Páez and Ramos 2012, Borroto-Páez and Mancina 2017, R. Borroto-Páez pers. comm. 2024).

This species has discontinuous populations (Borroto-Páez and Espinosa Romo 2011) and is declining. For example, reductions have been noted on the mainland in the Zapata Swamp, San Diego de los Baños, Guanes, and Cunagua (R. Borroto-Páez pers. comm. 2024). Subspecies Mysateles m. gundlachi is scarce, and M. m. meridionalis may already be extinct (R. Borroto-Páez pers. comm. 2024). Declines are predicted to continue as hunting pressure has increased by 3–4 times over recent years, particularly in rural and coastal areas.

The species is forest dependent, occurring in both primary and secondary forest, close to rivers and humid zones. Its behaviour is completely arboreal, and it lives in the canopy using holes in tree trunks as refugia (Borroto-Páez and Espinosa Romo 2011). The species is a folivore (leaf eater), feeding on more than 30 species of plants, especially fruit trees (Borroto-Páez and Woods 2011). The species reproduces principally in the warm months, with about 2–3 births in the year. The gestation period is 90–120 days and litter size ranges from 1–3. The species is very difficult to breed in captivity (Borroto-Páez and Espinosa Romo 2011).

Loss of forest habitat across its range, caused by conversion to agriculture, has reduced population size and driven population fragmentation (Borroto-Páez and Espinosa Romo 2011, Borroto-Páez et al. 2012). Illegal hunting by local people can be intensive, and constitutes a significant threat (Borroto-Páez and Espinosa Romo 2011, Borroto-Páez et al. 2012). Hunting pressure has increased by 3–4 times in rural and coastal areas since the Covid-19 pandemic (Borroto-Páez pers. comm. 2024). All populations are under threat from hunting, even in protected areas, and social media has aided the trade of this species. Hunting is conducted with dogs (which can be free-roaming), as well as through the use of fire in tree holes or caves to flush hutias out from refuges, which further damages hutia habitat.

The arboreal nature of the species may mean that it is less vulnerable to dog predation, however dog scats containing the species were found in a short period walking in the western part of Cuba (Borroto-Páez, 2009). It may be vulnerable to competition and disease or parasite transmission from black rats (Borroto-Páez 2009) as both species can share refuges in the tree holes and caves. Feral cats may be a serious threat because they are known to predate this species on both Isla de la Juventud and mainland Cuba (Borroto-Páez and Ramos 2003, Borroto-Páez and Espinosa Romo 2011, Borroto-Páez and Ramos 2012, Borroto-Páez and Mancina 2017).

The species is hunted for food. Hunting pressure has increased 3–4 times over recent years, partially driven by economic crisis and trade embargos in Cuba. Black markets and the use of social media has also increased. One hutia can be sold for 800 Cuban pesos by the hunter, but up to 1,000–1,200 Cuban pesos if sold by an intermediary party. Methods of hunting include the use of dogs and/or fire.

This species occurs in numerous protected areas in western and central parts of mainland Cuba (Borroto-Páez et al. 2012, Borroto-Páez and Mancina 2017). It would benefit from measures to deter hunting, and the control of invasive species.