Uncommon Pets 343 
results in one animal or the other being rendered quite hors de combat owing to the 
severe teeth wounds they are able to inflict on each other with their powerful incisors. 
Possibly a larger cage might alter this trait of these animals. 
Agoutis breed freely in captivity, but the sexes must only be paired at the proper 
times—either May or June, or October. When the female is observed to be gravid, a 
retiring-box must be provided in the cage so that she may hide herself from inquisitive 
eyes. A doe rabbit is not more jealous of her young than the female agouti, and any 
attempt on the owner's part to see how 
many (if any) young there may be is but the 
prelude to their destruction by the dam. At 
this time the cleansing operation must be 
performed as little as possible, consistent with 
keeping their cage fairly clean. If a large 
bundle of sweet hay and straw be piled up 
in front of and around the retiring-box so 
that the mother cannot be seen when inside, 
and the necessary cleansing be performed as 
quietly as possible, not much notice will be 
taken; but the scraper must be very lightly 
used, so as not to make a noise and disturb 
the dam, who in such a case would soon 
commence a meal off her young ones. The 
females are splendid mothers, and are most 
assiduous in thei care and attention for 
their young, and do not allow the male to 
WIEST INDIAN AGOUTI. 
approach the litter until nearly a fortnight 
has elapsed since the birth. 
A yery suitable covermg for the floor 
of the cage at ordinary times is an inch or 
two of clean gravelly sand, on which is 
placed a layer of clean sweet straw. Agoutis 
have a habit of hiding their food under this 
and then stamping over it with their hind 
lees to make sure it is properly hidden. 
They are rather nervous animals, and should 
a dog approach their cage they make terrified 
attempts to escape, dashing violently round 
the cage, knocking themselves against the 
walls and wires in their frantic attempts 
to get away. They are naturally very quick 
in their movements, and resemble a small 
deer when running. 
It has already been mentioned that the 
Indians hunt these animals for culinary purposes. The flesh is white, and, according to 
those who have tasted it, good flavoured, they describing it as resembling that of the hare 
or rabbit. There is no reason why it should not be so, as agoutis are remarkably clean 
animals, and spend a considerable amount of time in cleaning themselves—particularly 
their lips and faces after each meal with their forepaws. Agoutis may be obtained from 
the larger animal dealers at prices varying from thirty shillings to two pounds each. 
WEST INDIAN AGOUTI. 
