Azara's Agouti

Azara's Agouti
Conservation status
Vulnerable (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Rodentia
Family:	Dasyproctidae
Genus:	Dasyprocta
Species:	D. azarae
Binomial name
Dasyprocta azarae Lichtenstein, 1823

Azara's Agouti, Dasyprocta azarae, is a South American agouti species from the family Dasyproctidae. It is found in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. It is named after Spanish naturalist Félix de Azara.

Behaviour

Despite being active during the day, Azara's Agoutis are quite difficult to study as they are naturally extremely shy and will flee and hide when humans approach. Their shyness may be related to their solitary lifestyles but may be due to the fact that they are heavily preyed upon by many carnivorous species, including humans. However, if bred in captivity, it can become a trusting animal. Azara's Agouti will let out a little bark when alarmed. These animals are sometimes known as "jungle gardeners" as they often bury nuts and seeds and forget where they put them, therefore helping new plants to grow

References

1. ^ Catzeflis, F., Patton, J., Percequillo, A., Bonvicino, C. & Weksler, M. (2008). Dasyprocta azarae. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 5 January 2009.

• John F. Eisenberg and Kent H. Redford, 2000. Mammals of Neotropics: Ecuador, Bolivia and Brazil.