Dasyprocta leporina
Range
They are found in Brazil.Habitat
They live in the Amazon rainforest, hiding in thick brush near rivers, streams and swamps.Body Traits
Agoutis are shy rodents. Rodents are a family that gnaw (chew) with 2 pairs of sharp front teeth called incisors. They are small and only weigh up to 10 pounds. They have coarse hair and a rounded body. Their back end has reddish-colored fur.Habits
They are active during the day (diurnal). They do not climb trees. They spend their lives on the ground.Diet
Agoutis eat only plants, like fruits and seeds (herbivores). They bury the leftover seeds for later. Sometimes the seeds grow into new trees. Because of this, agoutis are sometimes called “seed-spreaders.”Predators
Predators that eat them are the jaguar, ocelot, harpy eagle, snakes and even man.Reproduction
Agoutis only have one mate their whole lives (monogamous). They can have babies at any time of year. Female agoutis are pregnant for 3-months (gestation). They have 2 babies.Lifespan and/or Conservation Status
They only live about 6 years in the wild. It is not a threatened species.
Classification
- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Subphylum: Vertebrata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Rodentia
- Suborder: Hystricomorpha
- Family: Dasyproctidae
- Genus: Dasyprocta
- Species: Dasyprocta leporina