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| Common Name: | Azara's Agouti | Family: | Rodentia |
| Latin Name: | Dasyprocta azarae | Diet: | Herbivore |
| Type: | Mammal | Habitat: | Tropical Rainforests |
| Native To: | Africa | Social Unit: | Variable |
| IUCN Red List Status: | Data Deficient |
Azara’s agouti at Edinburgh Zoo
Edinburgh Zoo has two Azara’s agouti. Their names are Maisie and Daisy, and they are sisters. They were both born in July 2007 and came to us from Newquay Zoo in March 2008.
Where it can be found at Edinburgh Zoo
Edinburgh Zoo’s Azara’s agouti are housed in the same enclosure as the southern pudu, next to the cassowary enclosure.
Azara’s agouti in the wild
Azara’s agoutis (Dasyprocta azarae) are found in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. They are part of the agouti family, which are a species of rodent of the genus Dasyprocta that lives in Central America, the West Indies, and South America.
Azara’s agoutis live in rain forests and savannahs. They spend their days foraging for fruits, nuts, leaves, plants, seeds, and vegetables and sleep at night. They are known as “jungle gardeners” due to their habit of burying seeds and forgetting them, thus helping new plants to grow. They are also known as one of the only animals that can open a Brazil nut unaided, using their exceptionally sharp teeth and jaw strength.
In body type, Azara’s agoutis can be compared to guinea pigs, but with longer legs. They have speckled brown fur with a lighter-toned underside. They have five toes on their front feet, but only three toes on their hind feet. They are very shy animals and vocalise with a bark when alarmed. If they perceive danger, they will run swiftly away. They are also good swimmers!
There is very little known about the number of Azara’s agoutis in the wild, but because they are hunted for food and may have undergone local extinctions, it is suspected that this species is threatened.
IUCN Red List category: Data Deficient
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