The red acouchi Myoprocta acouchy
Red acouchi видео
Red acouchis are distributed in Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and Brazil north of the Amazon and east of the Rio Branco. Sometimes acouchis could occur to the south of the Amazon River. Isolated populations may be found in Colombia and the upper Rio Vaupes. These animals inhabit lowland evergreen tropical forests but can also exist in altered areas close to natural forest. The body length of the red acouchi ranges from 32 to 38 cm, with the tail measuring 4.5-7 cm in length; the weight is 1 to 1.5 kg. The red acouchi has cheek pouches and anal scent glands producing specific secretion with strong smell. Red acouchis have course fur. They are dark chestnut-red or orange on the sides and legs. Their mid-back and rump are black or a very dark shade of red.
Red acouchis are herbivorous. They eat fruits, seeds, sprouts, and also tree wood and bark. Acouchis may bury seeds and nuts in the forest floor in different places of their home territories for use during the dry season, when food is scarce. These rodents help with forest regeneration since they do not use some of their seed hiding places and the seeds germinate. Acouchis are diurnal, resting in the night in the shelters. Red acouchis do not dig burrows but may use burrows of other animals. They live predominantly in the hollows of fallen trees. Red acouchis are alert animals; they are able to run quite fast and are good swimmers but they do not dive. When alarmed, red acouchis stomp their hind feet and produce sharp whistles.
Red acouchis live alone except for breeding season when they form pairs. Before the birth of her offspring, pregnant female may demonstrate aggression towards other acouchis. The actual breeding season of the red acouchis in the wild is not well studied. Gestation period is about 100 days. The female typically produces 2 litters per year, with litter size of 1 to 3 young. Red acouchis are born fully developed. The mother takes care of her offspring, plays with them, and protects them. Male red acouchis do not help with raising young. The young will nurse for 2 to 3 months before becoming fully weaned. Young of both sexes become sexually mature at about 304 days. In captivity, the longest living animal lived over 15 years.
