Pronunciation: [ˈaɡa͡ʊtˌiz] (IPA) 
The word "agoutis" is spelled with a silent "s" at the end, even though it is pronounced as "ah-goo-teez". This is because the word's origin is French, where the final "s" is often silent in plural nouns. The IPA phonetic transcription of "agoutis" is /əˈɡuːtiːz/, with the stress on the second syllable. Agoutis are small rodents native to South America, known for their large hind legs and sharp claws for burrowing.
Agoutis are rodents that belong to the genus Dasyprocta and are native to Central and South America. They are medium-sized animals, typically measuring around 40-60 centimeters in length, including their long tails. Agoutis have a robust body structure with short legs and rounded ears. They are known for their distinctive reddish-brown fur, which often possesses a patch of lighter-colored hair on the belly.
These creatures are primarily herbivorous and their diet consists of a variety of fruits, nuts, seeds, and plant material. They are considered important seed dispersers, as they consume fruit and bury the undigested seeds, helping to propagate plant species within their environment.
Agoutis are primarily solitary animals, although they may form monogamous pairs during breeding season. They construct burrows or use hollowed-out tree trunks as shelter, where they create nests composed of leaves and vegetation for sleeping and protection.
Although they are primarily terrestrial, agoutis are agile climbers and proficient swimmers. They have adapted well to diverse habitats, including tropical rainforests, grasslands, and even some urban areas.
Due to their behavior and ecological importance, agoutis play a significant role in maintaining forest ecosystems. They are also of interest to researchers studying their reproductive patterns, social behavior, and seed-dispersal interactions.
In some regions, agoutis are hunted for their meat, which is considered to be a delicacy. Additionally, they may also be kept as pets in captivity, as they can become quite tame when properly cared for.
The word "agoutis" derives from the French term "agouti", which was borrowed from the Carib language of the indigenous people of the Caribbean islands. The Carib term originally referred specifically to the Central American agouti, a rodent species found in tropical forests. The name was later extended to include other related rodent species found in South America, such as the Brazilian agouti and the orange-rumped agouti. Over time, the term "agoutis" became widely used in English to encompass various species of the Agoutidae family.
