Agouti

At the Zoo

Wellington Zoo is home to several groups of Red-Rumped Agouti, also known as Brazilian Agouti. These medium-sized rodents look a bit like large Guinea Pigs, and their powerful teeth grow continuously throughout their lives.

The Agouti at Wellington Zoo live in harmony with some of our other South American natives like Squirrel Monkeys, Cotton-Top Tamarins and Golden Lion Tamarins. It’s a peaceful co-existence – Agouti are ground-dwelling, while the primates spend most of their time in the branches – and they all eat different foods.

In the wild

IUCN: Least concern

Despite being known as the Brazilian Agouti, they are also native to the forests of Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Trinidad and Tobago and Lesser Antilles.

Agouti are one of the few animals in the world that can open Brazil nuts without tools, thanks to their strength and sharp teeth – making them critically important to the survival of Brazil nut trees and the people who depend on them. These hard-working rodents open the fruit, take some of the nuts and bury the rest, which germinate to become new trees.