Sunday, January 12, 2014

ABC Wednesday #76: A





A is for agouti (ah GOO tee), a rodent from Central and South America rain forests that looks a bit like a really large guinea pig. Its coarse hair is covered with an oily substance that acts like a raincoat. The hair is longest on its rump. The agouti has five toes on its front feet and three on the hind feet. It walks on its toes, not flat-footed like many rodents, giving the agouti a dainty look.

Although it is hard to see it, the agouti does have a tail: it is very small, looking like a dark jelly bean stuck on the animal's rump!

(Info from the San Diego Zoo website.)

I photographed the agouti in Monteverde, Costa Rica. They were everywhere much like we have squirrels roaming around our grounds.

ABC WEDNESDAY

6 comments:

  1. I learned about this rodent by doing crossword puzzles...it's often a clue.

    Leslie
    abcw team

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  2. This is a new animal for me. It seems unusual to have a different count of toes on front and hind feet.
    I would imagine it does look rather dainty as it ambles along.

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  3. Great shot. It looks humongous. Carver, ABC Wed. Team

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  4. Now THAT is a creature you don't see often!

    ROG, ABC Wednesday

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  5. Have never seen this animal! Thanks for sharing:)

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  6. I would keep my distance, any rodent gives me the willies.
    Ann

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Would love to hear what you think.