South American rodents are a diverse group of animals that inhabit the continent. Two of the most common species are the agouti and the paca. The agouti is a small rodent with a long body and short legs, found in tropical forests throughout South America. It has a reddish-brown coat and a white stripe along its back. The paca is a larger rodent, with a stocky body and long legs, found in grasslands and woodlands. It has a dark brown coat and white spots on its sides. Both species are important sources of food for local people.