Camera traps reveal the predation of artificial nests by free‐ranging Azara’s agoutis, Dasyprocta azarae Lichtenstein, 1823, in central Brazil

Abstract

Agoutis, Dasyprocta spp., are medium-sized rodents distributed in Neotropical region. Their diet is usually described as granivorous/frugivorous, and agoutis are recognised as important seed dispersers. Here, we present two spatially and temporally independent records of egg predation by Azara's agouti, Dasyprocta azarae, in fragments of Cerrado savanna forest. In both cases, the agoutis ingested quail eggs that had been placed in artificial nests at ground level, 100 m from the edge of the forest. As Dasyprocta is a herbivorous rodent, this predatory behaviour is unexpected and may represent an opportunistic foraging strategy. These observations provide important new insights into the feeding biology of agoutis and highlight the value of camera traps as a tool for the collection of data on the behavioural ecology and natural history of vertebrates in general.

Systemic Bacterial Infection in a Captive Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina Linnaeus, 1758)

“…e agouti is a medium-sized rodent (2-3 kg) that produces two offsprings per parturition [6] with a gestation period of 103 days [7]. ese animals have an omnivorous diet [8][9][10][11] and are able to consume agricultural by-product [12]. Young animals can be weaned at one month and can reach market weight at nine months [13].…”

Postweaning Performance of the Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina): A Neotropical Rodent with Potential for Domestication

“…Some authors have stated that this animal is a frugivore which consumes fruits, nuts, and seeds [9][10][11][12][13]. However, recently, the zoophagic behaviour of this animal has been highlighted [14][15][16][17]. Finally, due to the variability in this animal's diet due to environmental conditions, some researchers have classified them as opportunistic omnivores [18].…”

Nutritive Value and Physical Properties of Neo-Tropical Rodent Meat-with Emphasis on the Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

“…They can be fed locally available forages and feed by-products for maintenance [ 3 ]. The agouti ( D.leporina ) is considered by some authors as an opportunistic feeder [ 4 ], others have considered these animals as omnivores as they can consume both plant and animal matter [ 5 , 6 ]. The lappe, agouti, and capybara possess a large cecum which gives them the ability to digest fibrous feeds.…”