agouti

Everyday

1. An agouti is a rodent of Central and South America, with long legs, like a large guinea pig, that eats fruit and nuts. tree →
2. Agouti is also a fur colour pattern where each hair has bands of light and dark, common in wild rabbits and mice. tree →

In the lessons

Used in science lessons about rainforests, seed dispersal (agoutis bury Brazil nuts that later grow into trees), and genetics of animal colours.

Examples

• The agouti buried a Brazil nut in the forest floor. tree →
• Agoutis can crack very hard nuts with their sharp teeth. tree →
• Some buried nuts are forgotten and grow into new trees. tree →
• The agouti ran into the bushes when it heard us. tree →
• Our pet rabbit has agouti fur, like a wild rabbit. tree →
• Agoutis live in the rainforests of South America. tree →

Note

Pronounced a-GOO-tee. Plural «agoutis». It is a real animal, not a made-up one.