Acouchy
From Freepedia
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The acouchies (genus Myoprocta) are rodents belonging to the Dasyproctidae family. They are generally smaller than the common agoutis and have a very short tail (5 to 7 cm), while the common agoutis lack a tail. For this reason the acouchies are also called Tailed Agoutis.
There are two species of Acouchis:
- Myoprocta acouchy - Green Acouchi
- Myoprocta exilis - Red Acouchi
Both species live in the Amazon Rainforest. They are coloured brown or greenish, but with brightly orange or red parts of the head. Often acouchis live in riverbanks, where they dig holes. Like the common agoutis, but unlike the much larger pacas, acouchis are active at day and feed on fruits. In fact, acouchis will often respond to the sound of ripe fruit falling from trees by frenzily running towards what they hope will be their next tasty meal.
