Red-rumped agouti

The red-rumped agouti (Dasyprocta leporina), also known as the golden-rumped agouti, orange-rumped agouti or Brazilian agouti, is a species of agouti from the family Dasyproctidae. 
==Distribution==
It is native to northeastern South America, where found in Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, northeastern Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Lucia in the Caribbean. It has also been introduced to the U.S. Virgin Islands, Grenada, and Dominica.
==Names==
Despite the alternative name Brazilian agouti, it is neither the only nor the most widespread species of agouti in Brazil. In Brazil all agoutis are often called "cutia" .
==Habitat==
It is found in a wide range of forests, including rainforest and secondary forest.
==Description==
Red-rumped agoutis weigh about . They are about long. The females are larger than males but otherwise look similar. They are brownish with darker spots on the upper body. The fur becomes more orange as it goes past (going down) the middle area of the animal. The ears are somewhat square in shape. The front feet have 4 toes and the back have 3. They can be distinguished from other agoutis by their distinct coloring.
They have no distinct breeding season, and females generally have about 1 to 3 young. The gestation period is 104 to 120 days. On average, it takes 20 weeks for the young to be weaned. They live in pairs or family groups of the parents and babies. They need large areas for food, breeding, and territory; because of this, keeping them in captivity is difficult. Most animals in the family Dasyproctidae mate once or twice, and it is presumed to be true for the red-rumped agouti as well. It lives 15-20 yrs in captivity.
==Diet==
They are known to feed on and disperse Astrocaryum aculeatissimum seeds. 
== References ==
* John F. Eisenberg and Kent H. Redford, 2000. Mammals of Neotropics: Ecuador, Bolivia and Brazil.
* Bricklin, R. and P. Myers. 2004. "Dasyprocta leporina" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed December 12, 2006 at 
== External links ==
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Category:Dasyprocta
Category:Mammals of the Caribbean
Agouti, Brazilian
Agouti, Brazilian
Agouti, Brazilian
Agouti, Brazilian
Agouti, Brazilian
Category:Mammals of Grenada
Category:Mammals of Dominica
Agouti, Brazilian
Agouti, Brazilian
Agouti, Brazilian
Agouti, Brazilian
Category:Mammals described in 1758
Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus