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Azara's agouti facts for kids

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Azara's agouti
Agouti Azarae.JPG
Conservation status
Scientific classification
DasyproctaAzaraeKeulemans
An illustration of Azara's agouti.

The Azara's agouti (Dasyprocta azarae) is a type of agouti. Agoutis are small rodents, a bit like large guinea pigs. They belong to the family Dasyproctidae.

You can find Azara's agoutis in parts of Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. This animal is named after Félix de Azara. He was a Spanish scientist who studied nature. We don't know exactly how many Azara's agoutis there are. In some places, their numbers might be very low because of hunting. In Argentina, this species is considered vulnerable. This means it could be in danger of disappearing if we don't protect it.

Azara's Agouti Behaviour

Azara's agoutis are active during the day. However, they are very shy animals. This makes them hard to study in the wild. They will quickly run away and hide if people come near.

Their shyness might be because they live alone. It could also be because many other animals hunt them. This includes humans. But if they are raised by people, they can become quite friendly.

When an Azara's agouti gets scared, it makes small barking sounds. These animals are sometimes called "jungle gardeners." This is because they often bury nuts and seeds. They sometimes forget where they put them. This helps new plants and trees grow in the forest.

See also

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