Azara's agouti
Scientific name: Dasyprocta azarae
- How weight is recorded: Whole weight
Field notes
Appearance
Compact body with reddish-brown to greyish-brown coat, paler on the underside. Long hind legs and short front legs produce a characteristic hopping gait. Small rounded ears and pointed snout.
Size and weight
Male 1.5–3 kg, female 1.5–3 kg; body length 40–50 cm.
Habitat
Inhabits dense forest, open woodlands, and scrubby vegetation in lowlands to moderate elevations. Prefers areas near water sources with sufficient vegetative cover.
Distribution
Found in Paraguay, Argentina (Misiones Province), and southern Brazil. Inhabits diverse forest types from humid to semi-open settings.
Diet
Primarily seeds, nuts, fruits, and green vegetation; also bark stripping and seasonally available plant matter.
Behaviour
Predominantly crepuscular, active at dawn and dusk; may be nocturnal. Solitary or in small pairs; moves quickly and bounds away when disturbed.
Hunting tips
Look for small dark-grey droppings in clusters along trails and beneath fruit-bearing trees. Tracks show four toes in front and five behind; scan for scrape marks where they dig for food. Move slowly through dense vegetation at dawn or dusk, listening for their distinctive calls or leaf-rustling movement.
Whole weight
This species is logged by whole weight — the animal weighed entire, as taken.
Where it is hunted
Listed as huntable in 1 country in Huntify.
Names in other languages
Current language: en
These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.