The acouchi is a cavy-like rodent of the genus Myoprocta, family Dasyproctidae. They are found in the Amazon forests where they eat plants. Research Acouchi
The agouti is a small rodent of the genus Dasyprocta, forming the family Dasyproctidae. There are eight or nine species found in the forests of Central and South America. The agouti is herbivorous, swift-running, and about the size of a rabbit, but resembling a slender-limbed pig, brown to yellow in colour with a white line along the abdomen. It burrows in the ground or in hollow trees, lives on vegetables, doing much injury to the sugar-cane, is as voracious as a pig, and makes a similar grunting noise. Its flesh is white and well tasted. Research Agouti
The alactaga (Alactaga jaculus) is a rodent mammal closely allied to the jerboa but larger, with a still longer tail. It is found across central Asia. Research Alactaga
Anomalure (Anomalurus) is a genus of rodent animals inhabiting the west coast of Africa, resembling the flying-squirrels, but having the under surface of the tail furnished for some distance from the roots with a series of large horny scales, which, when pressed against the trunk of a tree, may subserve the same purpose as those instruments with which a man climbs up a telegraph pole to set the wires. They are called also scale-tails, or scale-tailed squirrels, but some authorities class them with the porcupines rather than the squirrels. There are several species of them, but little is known of their habits. Research Anom'alure
Arvicola is a genus of rodent animals of the suborder Muridse or Mice. Arvicola amphibia is the water-vole (or water-rat), and Arvicola agrestis is the field-vole or short-tailed field-mouse. Research Arvicola
The Aye-Aye (Chiromys madagascariensis) is a Madagascan species of Lemur about the size of a domestic cat, distinguished by hving front teeth adapted for gnawing, like those of a rodent. Research Aye-Aye
The capybara (Hydrochoerus capybara) is a species of aquatic rodent of the guinea-pig family Cavidae, also known as the water-hog or water-horse and in South America it is called the carpincho. It is about one metre long with a large thick head, a thick body covered with long, coarse brown hair and short legs with long feet which are webbed. It is found in South America where it feeds on vegetation and fish. Research Capybara
The chinchilla is a small squirrel-like herbivorous rodent found in the Andes of Chile and Bolivia. They are very closely allied to the rabbit, which they resemble in the general shape of the body, in the limbs being longer behind than before, in the conformation of the rootless molars, and by the nature of the fur, which is more woolly than silky; but differing from the rabbit in the number of
their incisors and molars, in a greater length of tail, and also in having broader and more rounded ears. Chinchilla lanigera a species about 15 inches long, is covered with a beautiful pearly-gray fur, which is highly esteemed as stuff for muffs, pelisses, linings, fur coats etc. The chinchilla lives gregariously in the mountains of most parts of South America, and makes numerous and very deep burrows. It is of a gentle nature, very sportive, losing none of its gaiety in captivity, and living very cleanly. Research Chinchilla
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Acouchi
