The Orlando Science Centre features the red lisp Aguti, an animal born within the “Life” exhibit at the Loch Haven Park Museum.
The arrival in late July was a surprise and part of a bigger plan, said Shannon Zimmerman, curator of conservation and welfare. The addition is in conjunction with a species survival plan developed by the association of zoos and aquariums. Already at the Orlando Science Center were Stimpy, an Aguti man who moved from San Francisco, and Brooke, a woman brought in from North Florida.
“They are both animals that were recommended to us to come together and breed from all the animals in that SSP, look, and actually make these two successful,” Zimmerman said. She said it was the first Aguti to be born in the plan since 2020.
Zimmerman said the red limp Agouti, also known as the Brazilian Agouti, is most closely related to guinea pigs, but many believe they look like baby Capybaras.
The gender of the newborn has not been determined yet. The weight was 280 grams a few days after birth. It was short of more than 10 ounces. By the end of August, it weighed 726 grams (1.6 pounds). The next test and measurements are scheduled for next month.
The three Agoutis have been on display since its birth in July. Human visitors check mammals as well as adjacent tamarins.
“They are definitely curious. They checked out their babies when they were first born. But there was no real challenge,” Zimmerman said. “It’s always just a food management aspect of what we’re trying to understand.”
Tamarin enjoys the macadamia nuts that Aguti has given them. It is useful in Brazilian rainforests and helps disperse and tree growth, Zimmerman said.
The “Life” exhibition opened in 2024 on the first floor of the Science Center. It is characterized by its unique rainforest, marsh and marine environment, with free-flying birds, fish, turtles, sharks, squirrels and sloths.
The Science Center is on the path towards the Membership Program, the AZA Accreditation and Accreditation application process.
The newborn is named after the gender has been determined, which also plays a role where the AZA sends new aguti and continues the breeding program.
But maybe Stimpee and Brooke were busy with Aguti once again.
“We saw … breeding behavior, we call them … because this baby was born,” Zimmerman said. During Brooke’s last pregnancy, it was not clear that she had been expecting until a few days before birth. Science centres generally have practical care policies, so there were no ultrasound or procedures.
“They have a very fast turnover rate, so moms can already get pregnant,” she said. “That would be great news.”
dbevil@orlandosentinel.com
