Mammal
Central American Agouti
Dasyprocta punctataCentral American Agoutis are long-legged, reddish-brown rodents that move quietly across tropical forest floors by day. They bury excess seeds and nuts in scattered caches, unintentionally planting some that are never recovered.
Diurnal RodentSeed DisperserForest Floor
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyNuts, Seeds, Fungi
Predators
- Jaguars
- Ocelots
- Boas
ThreatsDeforestation, hunting, road mortality, and predation by domestic dogs
HabitatsTropical forest, secondary woodland, plantations, gardens, and forested hillsides
Life spanOften about 10 to 15 years, with longer lives possible in managed care
Classification
- OrderRodentia
- FamilyDasyproctidae
- GenusDasyprocta
- SpeciesDasyprocta punctata
Native Introduced
Native range in olive; established introduced range in rust.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Watch quietly without feeding or following an agouti toward its concealed food caches.
Responsible observation
- Posture: Look for a high rump and slender legs beneath a rounded body.
- Foraging: Listen for gnawing or leaf movement near fallen seeds and nuts.
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