Mexican Agouti
VU

Mexican Agouti

Dasyprocta mexicana

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_agouti

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Mexican agouti faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive deforestation and habitat fragmentation across its limited range in southeastern Mexico. Hunting pressure for bushmeat has significantly reduced remaining populations, while agricultural expansion continues to eliminate critical forest corridors. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized extinctions, with several historical populations already extirpated.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Mexican agouti inhabits tropical rainforests and humid montane forests in southeastern Mexico, particularly in Chiapas and adjacent regions. It requires dense forest cover with abundant fruit trees and prefers areas with minimal human disturbance.

Forest· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Mexican Agouti classified as Vulnerable?
Mexican Agouti is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Mexican agouti faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive deforestation and habitat fragmentation across its limited range in southeastern Mexico. Hunting pressure for bushmeat has significantly reduced remaining populations, while agricultural expansion continues to eliminate critical forest corridors. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized extinctions, with several historical populations already extirpated.
Where does Mexican Agouti live?
Mexican Agouti occurs in Cuba, and Mexico. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Mexican Agouti?
The main threats to Mexican Agouti are 1.1, 2.1, 2.3, and 5.1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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