Agouti, << uh GOO tee, >> is a rodent that lives in dense forests from southern Mexico to northern Argentina, and in the Caribbean Islands. Agoutis measure almost 2 feet (61 centimeters) long. They have small rounded ears, long legs, and either a very short tail or no tail at all. Most agoutis have brown, blackish-brown, or orange fur. The hair on the back is grayish. Agoutis run with a jumping motion, like deer.
Agoutis eat fruit, leaves, and roots. Most females bear their young in litters of two. The young have full coats of fur at birth, and their eyes are open. They can move about and take care of themselves soon after birth. However, they remain with their parents for as long as 20 weeks. Coatis, mountain lions, and jaguars prey on agoutis. In the tropics, people hunt agoutis for their meat. Agoutis make affectionate pets. Some kinds of agouti have become endangered because the forests where they live have been destroyed.
See also Capybara.
