These hard seeds are also hoarded by burial in scattered locations within their territories, and the supply helps tide them over in periods of fruit shortages. This habit of seed burial is important for the dispersal of seeds of many plants. One pair of adult agoutis on BCI will occupy an area of about 2 hectares. Agoutis are territorial and monogamous, defending their territories very vigorously from other agoutis in times of fruit shortage. A female agouti may have up to three litters in a year and may live 2.5 years on the average.
Males live somewhat shorter lives.
Agoutis may give birth at any time of the year, but most young are born between March and July. The one or two young are placed in their own burrows, and are called out for nursing when the mother visits. Young live in these burrows for 8 to 9 weeks. The greatest mortality is among the young agoutis, usually because they fail to establish territories, and therefore do not obtain sufficient food. They may weaken from poor nutrition and then are more easily preyed on than healthy animals.