Meet our Agoutis!

Posted on Wed February 16, 2022.

Similar in appearance to Guinea pigs, only larger and with longer legs, Red Rumped Agoutis are members of the rodent family.

They have coarse, glossy fur that is typically brown, with orange to red fur on their rumps, and a little tail no longer than 6cm.

They are important seed dispersers for tropical plants in their native South American region, and they have a special relationship with the towering Brazil nut trees. These trees produce fruit or pods known as “cocos” that can weigh up to 2kg and fall to the ground at 80km per hour. Agoutis have ever-growing chisel-like incisors and are one of the very few animals that can chew through the woody, coconut-like pods to get to the nearly two dozen nuts inside. After eating their fill, agoutis bury extra nuts to eat later. Forgotten nuts and seeds will germinate and grow into new trees. Without agoutis to disperse seeds, Brazil nut trees could disappear, and these giants of the forest (reaching up to 60m in height) provide food and shelter to countless species.


Agoutis are remarkable animals worthy of much praise and appreciation! Please stop by and say hi to them during your next visit.

Further Reading

Knowledge, Laughter and a Little Friendly Competition Fri July 31, 2026

What do you get when you combine tourism professionals, creative costumes, challenging trivia and plenty of team spirit? An unforgettable evening of fun, networking and friendly competition.

Read This Article
Shaping The Next Generation Of Wildlife Veterinarians Thu July 30, 2026

As our final Loop Abroad group prepares to complete their two-week adventure at Cango Wildlife, we are also bringing another remarkable season of international pre-veterinary education to a close. Over the past few months, we have welcomed several groups of aspiring pre-veterinary students from the United States, each spending two weeks immersed in conservation, wildlife medicine and hands-on animal care. Every group arrived eager to learn. Every group left with unforgettable memories,...

Read This Article
Walking Together Thu July 30, 2026

For most people, the thought of taking a porcupine for a walk sounds impossible. For Pippa Fourie, Animal Caregiver at Cango Wildlife, it's simply part of the daily routine. Every day, visitors stop in their tracks as Patricia, our curious Cape Porcupine, confidently waddles alongside Pippa wearing her custom harness. While it certainly makes for an unforgettable sight, these walks are about far more than turning heads. They build trust and patience...

Read This Article