Agoutis
ExploreMammals
Agoutis
Dasyprocta
Agoutis are small, furry animals that look a bit like big guinea pigs. They love to eat fruits, nuts, and seeds and are often found in the forests of Central and South America.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Agoutis has a slender body with a large head, short ears, and long, thin legs. Its coarse fur is typically reddish-brown to orange, often brighter on its rump, and nearly tailless with only a small stub visible. This makes it look like a large, long-legged guinea pig.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderRodentiaFamilyDasyproctidaeGenusDasyprocta
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Agoutis can make a sound like a bark when they are alarmed!
Their fur on their back points backward, then forwards near their rump!
They can leap over nine feet high with a single mighty spring!
Wow, agoutis walk on their tiptoes, like a tiny forest ballerina!
Special abilities
Ability
Nature's Gardener
Agoutis can bury excess seeds and sometimes forget them, because this helps new plants grow in the forest.
Ability
Super Sonic Ears
Agoutis have excellent hearing that helps them detect even the quietest sounds of approaching predators.
Ability
Ever-Growing Gnawers
Agoutis has strong, continuously growing teeth that help them crack open tough nuts and seeds.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 40-75 cm
- Weight
- 2-6 kg
- Lifespan
- 10-15 years
- Top Speed
- 56 km/h
- Litter Size
- 1-4
- Gestation
- 104-120 days
Diet & Feeding
Agoutis love to munch on fallen fruits, nuts, and seeds from the forest floor.
Primary Foods
- Fruits
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Fungi
- Leaves
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Jaguar
Panthera onca
A main meal for stealthy big cats.
eaten by
Ocelot
Leopardus pardalis
Small wild cats hunt them in the undergrowth.
eaten by
Harpy Eagle
Harpia harpyja
These huge birds of prey snatch them from above.
depends on
Brazil nut tree
Bertholletia excelsa
Spreads its hard-shelled seeds for future trees.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Burrowing
Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Agoutis are friendly but should be watched from a distance in the wild.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Agoutis?
40-75 cm
How much does Agoutis weigh?
2-6 kg
How long does Agoutis live?
10-15 years
How fast can Agoutis move?
56 km/h
What does Agoutis eat?
Agoutis love to munch on fallen fruits, nuts, and seeds from the forest floor.
Where is Agoutis usually found?
Forests
How does Agoutis hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does Agoutis usually have?
1-4
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