Jewel # 302 (Nov. 21, 2017)

And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I

make up MY JEWELS.”

(Malachi 3:17)

To my dear grandchildren

The Agouti of Central America

“Many, O Lord my God, are Thy wonderful works which Thou hast done,

and Thy thoughts which are to usward.”

Psalm 40:5)

Central America is home for many kinds of wildlife, including large and small animals.  One of these small ones is the agouti, also known as the guatuga.  Most of these live in Costa Rica, but some live in South America as well.

The agouti is a harmless rodent about the size of a rabbit.  If it hears strange noises or spots an enemy, such as a jaguar, coati, or vicious monkey, it gives a special alarm call to others nearby.  At the same time it “freezes" as still as a statue or will dash for cover, zigzagging through the trees.  The Creator has provided the agouti with strong, long legs, which it uses to move quickly when threatened.

This rather pretty little animal, with a very short tail or no tail at all, has large, bulging eyes, a pointed head and blunt nose.  Its small rounded ears are always standing upright when it is awake, which accounts for its keen sense of hearing.  Generally it has brown or blackish-brown fur.  These animals have longer legs than rabbits.  

The agouti lives in dense forests and usually makes its home in a sheltered spot under tree roots, between rocks or in a hollow log.  This peaceful creature hunts in daylight for its food consisting mostly of wild avocados or other fruit, nuts, leaves, roots or stems of good-tasting shrubs.  Unlike most animals, its two babies in the litter are already covered with hair when born, and their eyes are fully open.  The young can take care of themselves soon after birth, almost immediately beginning to eat plants, but they usually remain with the parents for several weeks.

Natives consider the agouti a helpful friend, because it aids in starting new trees to grow after a forest fire or damaging wind has raged through their parts of the country.  Since this animal likes acorns and other nuts, it buries large numbers of them in the ground, expecting to return later to dig them up.  However, like squirrel and chipmunks which do the same thing, it often forgets where some are buried.  In a short time these take root, and soon new trees are started.

These rather cute little animals are another example of the wonderful works of the Lord God, the Creator.  We are told in the Bible that He is always looking over all His creation and caring for it.  He has a special place in His caring heart for every boy and girl, man and woman, as it tells us in our opening verse.  Yes, He has loving thoughts of you.  Do you have loving thoughts of Him?  He wants you to know His love and invites you to accept Him as your Saviour.  Have you done this?      

Love you all - Grandpa