Agoutis are alert, agile, and fast-running rabbit-sized jungle rodents, found from southern Mexico throughthe Amazon rain forest. They are diurnal, except where heavily persecuted by humans. Agoutis are herbivores and eat vegetables, seeds, and fallen fruit. They often bury food to store it for later; when an agouti forgets such a stash they help the forest to renew and spread since the seeds can sprout and grow into trees.
Agoutis usually live in mated pairs with their current offspring. Only a few young are born at a time, which are cared for for around half a year. Agoutis will dig dens, or utilize natural hollows. They maintain and defend territories, typically by scent marking but also by fighting if neccessary. Families typically forage together, and upon detecting danger will stamp their feet, grunt, or squeal to alert the rest of the group, at which time they run away as fast as possible.
Members of the genus Myoprocta are often called acuchis rather than agoutis.