If the tooth should break, it will tend to break in the same shape and the chisel will not be lost. Agoutis, like all cavies, also have ever-growing rootless molars, a necessity because of their constant use as a grinder. Cavies have 4 toes on the front and 3 on the hind feet and the nails tend to be dull. The agouti's slender legs and strong nails give it needed speed in a dash for safety. Agoutis are quite long-lived for a small mammal, often living 10, even 20 years in captivity.
Pairs come together only to breed.
Unlike most solitary rodents, however, captive males are quite tolerant and friendly toward the young. Gestation is about 3 months and the young are kept in the burrow in a nest lined with leaves, roots and hair. Usually 2 are born and the mother has 2 pairs of nipples. Both pups nurse on one side and the mother will swap sides. When food is abundant, agoutis carefully bury surplus for harder times.