The Acouchi reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Acouchi

Acouchis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Rodentia Family: Dasyproctidae Genus: Myoprocta
Species
Myoprocta acouchy Myoprocta exilis

The Acouchis (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 Acouchis are also called Tailed Agoutis.

There are two species of Acouchis:

• Green Acouchi (Myoprocta acouchy)
• Red Acouchi (Myoprocta exilis)

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 Agouti, but unlike the much larger Pacas, Acouchis are active at day and feed on fruits.

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