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Agouti
Red-rumped agoutis are 16-25 inches long (including a one-inch
tail), and weigh from two to nine pounds. They are rodents and look
a bit like huge tailless rats or squirrels. Their hair is coarse and
glossy, longest on the rump. In this species, the long hairs on the
hind quarters are usually reddish or orange. Ears are small, tail a
black naked stub, whiskers black. Most of the fur is grizzled black
or brown.
HABITAT:
They can be found throughout the forest, but most often in areas of
good undergrowth cover, around large tree falls, and near streams,
rivers and swamps. Sometimes they inhabit gardens and plantations.
They tend to dig burrows if the soil allows.
BEHAVIOR:
Agoutis are normally active during the day, but become nocturnal if
disturbed or molested.
When food is plentiful they bury excess nuts and fruits for use when
food is scarce. This behavior makes them important seed dispersers
for many tree species.
They usually sit erect to eat, holding the food in their hands.
Agoutis are preyed upon by larger predators, cat and dog species,
coatis, and humans, who traditionally hunt them for food.
Agoutis are terrestrial and cursorial, which means ground dwelling
and built for running with speed. They walk, trot or gallop on their
toes, and can jump up more than six feet from a standing position.
DIET:
Agoutis are strictly herbivorous and in nature live mostly on fallen
fruits and nuts. They are attracted to the sound of ripe fruits
hitting the ground. In captivity they should be offered a complete diet
of rodent lab blocks, and rat or mouse
mix, with bits of fruit or veggies regularly. Cheerios or wheat
bread are great treats, in small quantities. Do NOT feed chocolate,
fried foods, salted foods, candy or junk food! They may enjoy
crickets and mealworms if they are captive bred, never feed wild
insects as they may carry parasites. Vitamins, like Nutri-Cal are a good addition to their diet, and added calcium
during nursing and growth due to demands on their systems at those
times, but take care not to overdo it. Water bottles should be used
to proved constant, clean water. Ceramic or stoneware food dishes
work well for keeping seeds or fresh foods off the floor, and a wire
mesh hopper that allows them to eat the lab blocks through without
extra waste.
Agoutis and the other numerous rodents in South America are the
ecological equivalent of African grazing hoofed mammals such as
antelope and zebras.
SOUNDS:
They often use an alarm call: a series of low grunts or loud hoarse
squeals or barks. Often two individuals call. They may also stamp
their hind feet on the ground as an alarm gesture. Agoutis make a
noise as they gnaw loudly on hard nuts.
REPRODUCTION and GROWTH:
Agoutis live in monogamous pairs, which travel together. The young
are born in a nest of leaves, roots and hair, after a three-month
gestation. Twins are usual. The young are precocial (born furred,
with eyesight and able to run within an hour of birth). Adults may
breed year round.
One captive agouti lived almost 18 years.
Other Rodent Related Pages
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