The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Dasyprocta

DASYPROCTA, a genus of agoutis (Dasyproctidæ), a familiar group of rodent mammals inhabiting Central and South America, and some of the West India Islands. The agoutis are a little larger than the common rabbit, have a rabbit-like head, but with short ears, hooped, pig-like claws, and are swift-footed. They live in the woodland, and search for food by night in the open country. See Aguti.