They get their name from the Spanish naturalist Félix de Azara.
Agouti are very active during the day. In spite of this though, they are incredibly hard to document as they are naturally very shy creatures in the wild and will run and hide at the slightest hint of danger.
Azara’s agouti like to live in tree hollows and burrows under ground, like rabbits. They have very sharp teeth. When they eat they actually sit back on their hind legs and hold the food between their front paws, like a squirrel.
They’re listed as data deficient (not enough information collected on the species) on the IUCN Red List. However, it’s thought they may be threatened. Until more data can be collected the data deficient classification will remain. They are however, part of a European managed breeding programme.
Azara’s agouti questions and answers
What do agoutis eat? Seeds, nuts, fruit.
Do agoutis make any noise?
They can do yes, it’s a cute little barking sound. They do this when scared.
How big do they grow?
Up to 50cm (20 inches) in length and can weigh between 2-3kg.
How long do Azara’s agouti live for?
They can live up to 20 years.
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