Azara’s agoutis can be found in forests and thick brush in South American, distributed inland from  southern Mexico and northern Argentina.

Agoutis are rodents, meaning they have continuously growing incisor teeth. With their powerful jaws they are the only mammal known to be able to bite open a Brazil nut! The coarse hair is covered in an oily substance to keep their hair waterproof.

When foraging, agoutis will often follow monkey species and other arboreal species awaiting dropped fruits. Fruits, nuts, and seeds are their preferred food, but when limited they will feed on other plant matter, fungi, and even insects. When food is plentiful, agoutis will bury and stash their food for a later date. Because of this, agoutis play a very important role in the ecosystem, earning them the nickname of the ‘jungle gardeners’. They will sometimes forget about buried foods, allowing the growth and spread of new flora and plant species!

Around 17 years in human care.

Agoutis are relatively shy animals and are mostly active early and late in the day. They have a keen sense of smell and sharp hearing to detect predators. If spotted, they may freeze to ‘hide in daylight’, or stomp their feet as a warning. They raise the long hairs on their rump to confuse predators into thinking they are bigger than they are. If this doesn't work,  with their ability to run fast, swim competently and jump up to 6ft in the air, they are well equip to escape predators. 

Agoutis are monogamous, meaning a male and a female pair for life. After a gestation period of three months, females usually give birth to twins, but sometimes up to four pups. They are born precocial, meaning they are fully furred and are actively running about in their first hour of life.

Least concern. 

This species of agouti get their name from the Spanish naturalist Félix de Azara!