Omnivorous Behaviour of the Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina): A Neotropical Rodent with the Potential for Domestication

Abstract

The agouti is a Neotropical rodent which is mainly utilized for its meat in rural communities. Recently, captive rearing of these animals by wildlife farmers have increased in the Neotropics. This short communication consists of observation of feeding behaviour of captive reared agoutis at the University of the West Indies Field Station in Trinidad and Tobago. This is the first time in Trinidad and Tobago that meat consumption and the omnivorous behaviour of the agouti have been documented in the literature. The consumption of chicken (Gallus domesticus) eggs, dead chickens, and a brown dove (Zenaida macroura) by captive reared agoutis was noted. This document described the omnivorous behaviour of the agouti which is primarily considered a frugivorous animal. Similar studies in South America have shown that wild and captive reared agoutis consumed animal matter. Further work must be done on the dietary needs and nutrient requirements of the agouti at different physiological states.

Dystocia in a Captive Reared Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) in Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies

“…It was summarised that the agouti was frugivorous, herbivorous and opportunistic in its feeding behaviour. In captivity the consumption of animal matter has been documented with the agouti consuming carrion, chicken eggs and dead chicken [17,18].…”

“…Baas et al [32] reported on blood reference values for agoutis reared in captivity. Further work by Jones et al [31] and Jones and Garcia [33,34] recorded blood parameters for healthy agoutis reared intensively. However, little reports existed on non-infectious diseases of the agouti.…”

Evaluation of Unconventional Supplements to the Diet of Intensively Reared Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) in Trinidad, West Indies

“…The diet of the agouti in the wild and in captivity has been described as being omnivorous. These animals have been found eating animal matter such as bruchid larvae [ 10 , 11 ], carrion [ 12 ], eggs [ 13 ], insects, and in some cases young agouti (cannibalism) [ 14 ]. The agouti has a simple stomach with a functional caecum.…”

Endoparasites of Selected Native Non-Domesticated Mammals in the Neotropics (New World Tropics)

“…The agoutis mainly are frugivorous with the majority of the diet consisting of nuts and fruits, with potentially a preferential particle size [10][11][12][13]. Earlier it was found that these animals were rather omnivorous and would consume eggs and chicks [14]. It is clear that there is a need for more investigation on their feeding habits.…”

“…The lappe was decribed as a frugivore, the manicou as an omnivore, the collared peccary as a pseudo-ruminant herbivore, and the red brocket deer was grouped with ruminants [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. The manicou has a gestation period of three weeks [17,18].…”