The Agouti
Meet the Agouti: Costa Rica’s Forest Gardener
The agouti is one of Costa Rica’s most charming and underrated mammals. Looking like a cross between a small deer and a giant guinea pig, these shy rodents play an important role in the rainforest ecosystem. You might spot one quietly darting through the underbrush with a nut in its mouth or sitting perfectly still, listening for danger. Though they often go unnoticed, agoutis are the silent gardeners of Costa Rica’s forests.
Key Facts
Size: 40 to 60 cm (16 to 24 inches) in body length, with a short tail of just a few centimeters
Weight: 2 to 4 kg (4 to 9 pounds)
Lifespan: 8 to 12 years in the wild
Diet: Fruit, nuts, seeds, and sometimes tender shoots or roots
Activity: Diurnal, most active in the early morning and late afternoon
Cool Facts About Agoutis
Agoutis have incredibly strong teeth that can crack open even the hardest nuts, including those of the almendro tree that many animals cannot open. They often bury extra seeds in the soil to eat later, and when they forget where they buried them, new trees begin to grow. This makes the agouti one of the forest’s most effective reforesters.
They are lightning fast on their feet and can zigzag through the forest to escape predators. They also use a series of soft thumping sounds made with their back feet to communicate warnings or territory alerts.
Agoutis are monogamous and often live in pairs that share a home range. They are shy by nature, but quiet travelers who move slowly through the forest can often spot them feeding under fruiting trees. Their reddish-brown fur shines beautifully in dappled sunlight, especially near forest edges.
Habitat and Behavior
Agoutis live throughout Costa Rica in lowland rainforests, dry forests, and foothills. They prefer areas near rivers or fruiting trees where food is plentiful.
They spend most of their time on the ground but can swim and climb if needed. During the day, they collect fruit and nuts, and at night they sleep in hollow logs or burrows to stay safe from predators such as ocelots and snakes.
Where to See Agoutis in Costa Rica
Agoutis are common in many parts of the country and are often seen along trails in national parks. Some of the best places to find them are:
Cahuita National Park, where they are frequently seen along shaded coastal paths and near fruiting trees
Arenal Volcano National Park, where they forage near the base of large trees and along open trails
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, where patient hikers can often spot them crossing paths in the early morning
Guided tours make it easy to learn more about their habits and increase your chances of seeing them in the wild. If we do not provide the tour ourselves, you will see we have included links to other tour operators that offer sightings. We have personally been on these tours ourselves and enjoyed them! :)
