Azara's agouti
Dasyprocta azarae
Named after the Spanish naturalist Félix de Azara, Azara’s Agouti are large rodents found throughout Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina.
Their diet mainly consists of nuts, fruits and plants.
Azara’s agouti are thought to be at risk in the wild but there is not enough scientific information available at the moment to classify them properly. Their main threats are habitat destruction and hunting which may mean they have gone locally extinct in some areas.
We have two female Azara's agouti, called Indie and Isla, who share an enclosure with our Southern pudu.
Please note that our Azara's agouti are currently off-show for the winter.
Population
Unknown
Diet
Herbivore
Habitat
Rainforest
Fact file
Azara’s agoutis are known as 'jungle gardeners' due to their habit of burying seeds and forgetting them, thus helping new plants to grow
They have five toes on their front feet, but only three toes on their hind feet
They are very good swimmers and can often be found near water
Azara's agoutis are thought to be the only mammal that can open a Brazil nut due to their exceptionally sharp teeth!
How we're helping
Like all the animals in our care, Indie and Isla, are amazing ambassadors for their relatives in the wild and help hundreds of thousands of people connect with nature every year. They encourage visitors to learn about the threats facing wildlife and the action they can take to help create a world where nature is protected, valued and loved.
As a wildlife conservation charity, we care for the animals here at the zoo and work to protect species at risk around the world. From providing expertise in genetics and veterinary health, to protecting wild places with local conservation partners, and even restoring threatened species to the wild, we are active where we are needed most.
Find out more about RZSS conservation