Black agouti

The black agouti, scientifically known as Dasyprocta fuliginosa, is an intriguing rodent native to South America. These creatures can be observed in countries such as Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, and Peru. Weighing between 3.5 and 6 kg, they possess striking black fur interspersed with white specks and a distinctive white patch on their throat.

These diurnal animals, active during the day, typically lead solitary lives or coexist in pairs. Their diet predominantly comprises fruits and nuts, and they thrive in forests, dense brush, savannas, and even cultivated lands—essentially, any area near water sources like streams.

Female black agoutis do not adhere to a strict breeding season; they are capable of reproducing year-round. They undergo multiple estrus cycles annually, each lasting about 24 hours within a 30- to 34-day cycle. Following a gestation period of approximately 104 days, females usually give birth to two offspring. In some regions, these agile animals establish their homes in burrows nestled among limestone boulders, along riverbanks, or beneath tree roots.