Azara's Agouti (Dasyprocta azarae)

Azara's Agouti

The Azara's Agouti is a large rodent which is found throughout South America, from South Brazil into Paraguay and Argentina. It is currently listed (2003) as a vulnerable species.

The scientific name Dasyprocta is Greek and translates to Dasy "hairy" and Procta "rectum", named by a scientist with a sense of humour!.

They average about 50 cms in length (18 inches) and weigh around 3 or 4 kilograms (6 pounds). They are brown in colour, with short shiny fur. They feed on leaves, seeds, fruits and other food sources they can find on the forest floor. They will often bury food when there is an abundant supply. This will later be dug up and consumed.

They are solitary animals, living in burrows or tree hollows.

The gestation period for the Azara's Agouti is around 3 months, where two pups are born. They stay in the burrow with the mother until they have found their survival techniques, and will leave the burrow and become solitary.

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