Agouti

Description:

The Agouti (Guatuso) looks like the bigger version of a guinea pig. It feeds on fruits and seeds which it stores in the ground, thus helping to disperse the seeds. When frightened, the agouti will erect his long hairs on his rump, thump his hind feet on the ground, or run away with high-pitched barks.

Habitat:

Agoutis are commonly seen in wooded areas and forest in Central and Northern territory of Latin America. They are found in savannas, rainforests & cultivated fields which depends on the species. They are mostly found in under bushes, around dead large trees logs, near swamps, channels & rivers. They dig tunnel under bushes or fallen trees. You can also found them concealed at night in hollow of a tree or the burrows hidden by the roots. Though they live in dry place, they can also good as a swimmer. They are naturally shy animals in the wild, flee in the presence of human but they can be trained. Agoutis are terrestrial animals. Just like some species of mammals agouti announce its territory with urine. The smell of urine keeps other agoutis to enter ones territory. They use their forefeet to clean up their body and comb their hair. Agoutis are diurnal, but they also hovering at night if there are too much predator around their territory.

Notes:

Seen here on the shoreline just outside a hotel complex.