Agouti
Dasyprocta leporina

CLASS

Mammalia

ORDER

Rodentia

FAMILY

Dasyproctidae

Range

Central and South America

Habitat

Tropical and dry forests

Diet

Fallen fruits, nuts, and vegetation

Facts

• 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.
• Agoutis sit on their hind legs to eat, holding the food in their fore feet.
• They can can jump up more than six feet from a standing position and can swim well.
• The agouti is the only animal that can crack open the hard outer shell of a Brazil nut.

Conservation

Although this species is hunted locally, the population is not facing any major threats.