Azara's agoutis are large rodents. They have a body length of approximately 50 cms (20 inches), a short tail measuring approximately 2.5 cms (1 inch) and they weigh approximately 3 Kgs (6.5 lbs).
Their fur is speckled and coloured pale to mid brown with a paler underside. They have prominent ears and short legs. Their distinctive feet have five toes on the front feet but only three toes on the hind feet.
They have very sharp teeth and when feeding they sit on their hind legs and hold food in their front paws.
They are active during the day and in the wild they are shy animals, fleeing from humans if they approach.
They have an active, graceful gait which is either a trot or a series of springing movements and they are good swimmers. If they are alarmed they will let out a bark. |
