#dasyprocta punctata

[snototter]

A Central American agouti (Dasyprocta punctata) wades through a river in Manuel Antonio National Park Puntarenas Province, Quepos, Costa Rica

by Gary Stephenson

[animalworld]

CENTRAL AMERICAN AGOUTI Dasyprocta punctata Tikal National Park Tikal, Guatemala

©Laura Quick

These charming rodents look like big guinea pigs with longer legs. In Tikal, look for them scampering around the park exit, where food is put out for the local birds (including a sizable flock of Scarlet Macaws). There are eight species of Agoutis in North America, most endemic to specific regions. The Dasyprocta punctata’s range runs from Chiapas and the Yucatan Peninsula (southern Mexico), through Central America, to northwestern Ecuador, Colombia and far western Venezuela.

[quickwitter]

COMMON AGOUTI Dasyprocta punctata Cópan Ruins, Honduras

©Laura Quick

They are related to guinea pigs and look quite similar, but are larger and have longer legs. The species vary considerably in color, being brown, reddish, dull orange, grayish or blackish, but typically with lighter underparts. Their bodies are covered with coarse hair which is raised when alarmed. They weigh 2.4–6 kg (5.3–13.2 lb) and are 40.5–76 cm (15.9–29.9 in) in length, with short, hairless tails. Wikipedia

[snototter]

A Central American agouti (Dasyprocta punctata) in Colón, Panama

by marlin harms

[hey-mr-spaceman]

Today I learnt that there is another multiverse of cuniculus pacas called dasyprocta punctata they look so funny

[thoughtlessarse]

A Central American agouti (related to the guinea pig, but larger) wanders through Metropolitan Natural Park, a protected area in Panama City, Panama - Photograph: Martin Bernetti/AFP/Getty Images.

click source for more Week on Wildlife photo

[enchantedtigress]

Central American Agouti (Dasyprocta punctata) by Jeffrey Jang Via Flickr: Central American Agouti (Dasyprocta punctata). Gamboa. Colon. Panama.