They are found in Brazil.
They live in the Amazon rainforest, hiding in thick brush near rivers, streams and swamps.
Agoutis are shy rodents. Rodents are a family that gnaw (chew) with 2 pairs of sharp front teeth called incisors. They are small and only weigh up to 10 pounds. They have coarse hair and a rounded body. Their back end has reddish-colored fur.
They are active during the day (diurnal). They do not climb trees. They spend their lives on the ground.
Agoutis eat only plants, like fruits and seeds (herbivores). They bury the leftover seeds for later. Sometimes the seeds grow into new trees. Because of this, agoutis are sometimes called "seed-spreaders.”
Predators that eat them are the jaguar, ocelot, harpy eagle, snakes and even man.
Agoutis only have one mate their whole lives (monogamous). They can have babies at any time of year. Female agoutis are pregnant for 3-months (gestation). They have 2 babies.
They only live about 6 years in the wild. It is not a threatened species.
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Suborder: Hystricomorpha
Family: Dasyproctidae
Genus: Dasyprocta
Species: leporina
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Amsel, Sheri. "Agouti" Exploring Nature Educational Resource ©2005-2024. March 26, 2024
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