The body form of the Central American agouti is slender. The body length ranges from 415-620 mm and the tail is 10-35 mm. The hairs increase in length from the anterior to the posterior part of the body. The fur of the agouti is course yet glossy. In some individuals inconspicuous stripes may be present. The coat ranges from pale orange to several shades of brown or blackish dorsally, and yellowish to white ventrally. They often build dens and numerous sleeping spots in hollow logs, among limestone boulders, under roots of trees or other vegetation. Agoutis are closely associated with water and often found along the banks of streams, rivers and lakes. In Peru, they are confined to the Amazonian region where they are found in all parts of the low selva rainforest zone and many parts of the high selva zone (altitudes of up to 2,000 meters) (Nowak 1999). As long as there is sufficient cover for them to hide in, they seem to survive well even in disturbed habitats.Dasyprocta punctata, commonly known as Central American agoutis, is found from southern Mexico to northern Argentina, and has been introduced to the Cayman Islands.Ĭentral American agoutis are found in forests, thick brush, savannas, and cultivated areas. Local populations are often hunted extensively by humans but the overall population appears to be relatively stable. This species is listed as Least Concern by IUCN. Both males and females invest energy in helping raise young. Their gestation period is up to 120 days and litters consist of 1 – 3 young. They often travel and scavenge together to maintain a better lookout for predators. These diurnal rodents are monogamous and live in pairs or family groups. Predators include jaguars, ocelots, snakes and raptors. Like some other mammals, they also communicate with body posture and distinguish territory through scent marking. They have a range of alarm or distress calls which include grunts, squeals, and hind foot stamping. Some species of trees depend heavily on agoutis for seed dispersal. Agoutis are important seed dispersers due to their habit of burying stores of food throughout their territories. They will also store food for times of scarcity. They are herbivores, feeding on fruits, nuts, seeds, leaves, and shoots. Red-rumped agoutis are terrestrial and found in rainforests and secondary forests in northern South America in Venezuela, the Guianas, Brazil, and Trinidad and Tobago. Like all rodents, agoutis have long incisors that grow throughout their lifetime, but their incisors are notably stronger than those of other rodents. Agoutis have short tails, long legs relative to their body size, and sharp, hoof-like claws on their toes, allowing them to run quickly throughout the underbrush of the forest floor. They weigh between 6 ½ and 13 pounds and reach up to 2 feet in length.
Red-rumped agoutis get their name from the reddish fur that covers their backside. Red-rumped agoutis are able to run within an hour of being born.There are 13 different species of agouti and their scientific name “Dasyprocta” means “fuzzy butt.”.They will follow troops of monkeys through the forest and eat fruits that they drop.
#Red rumped agouti defense crack#
They are important seed dispersers in their community and one of the only animals that can crack the tough shell of the Brazil nut.Our red-rumped agoutis can be found in the Fisher Family Children’s Zoo/Exploration Zone.