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
I learned about this rodent by doing crossword puzzles...it's often a clue.
ReplyDeleteLeslie
abcw team
This is a new animal for me. It seems unusual to have a different count of toes on front and hind feet.
ReplyDeleteI would imagine it does look rather dainty as it ambles along.
Great shot. It looks humongous. Carver, ABC Wed. Team
ReplyDeleteNow THAT is a creature you don't see often!
ReplyDeleteROG, ABC Wednesday
Have never seen this animal! Thanks for sharing:)
ReplyDeleteI would keep my distance, any rodent gives me the willies.
ReplyDeleteAnn