Pictures and facts about the Central American agouti

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Central American agouti

Order : Rodentia
Suborder : Hystricognathi
Family : Dasyproctidae
Species : Dasyprocta punctata

With a little imagination you can guess the Agoutis' kinship: These rodents are relatives of the well-known Guinea pigs. But they are larger, more long-legged and more slender. Several species are known. They don't differ much in size and physique, but in fur colour. The best-known species are the Central American agouti (Dasyprocta punctata), the Black agouti (Dasyprocta fuliginosa) and the Golden agouti (Dasyprocta leporina). Agoutis are up to 50 cm long and weigh about 3,5 kg. There's something special about their physique; while the front part of their body is quite slender, the rear part is more bulky. This kind of physique is an adaptation to living among the undergrowth and reveals that Agoutis are inhabitants of forests. Many smaller mammals inhabiting forests are of such a physique, e.g. some small ungulates like Duikers (Cephalophinae) and Mouse deer (Tragulidae).

Facts about the Central American agouti

Habitat: Central American agoutis are found in cool damp lowland forests, thick brush, savanna, and cultivated areas. (Full text)

Distribution The Central American agouti is found from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. (Full text)

Central American Agoutis are generally silent as they forage on the forest floor, but they make loud vocalizations when they are startled. (Full text)

He has learned that a large rodent, the Central American agouti, is important to the forest’s growth. (Full text)

The Central American agouti is found from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. (Full text)

Neotropical: Dasyprocta punctata , the Central American agouti, is found from southern Mexico to northern Argentina, and has been introduced in the Cayman Islands. (Full text)

Dasyprocta punctata (Agouti): Narrative Neotropical: Dasyprocta punctata , the Central American agouti, is found from southern Mexico to northern Argentina, and has been introduced in the Cayman Islands. (Full text)