Dental eruption in pacas (Agouti paca) bred in captivity

Five females and seven males of Agouti paca were used to study dental eruption. In a monthly radiographic survey of the dental eruption, during 30 consecutive months, animals were radiographed. Pacas were born with three teeth in each dental hemiarcade, one incisor of continuous growth, one premolar (the only one deciduous) and one molar. The second molar erupted in the fourth month. The occlusal surfaces of lower teeth were at the same level in the sixth month and the upper teeth around ninth month. The beginning of the third molar eruption occurred in the 14th month. Perception of the first permanent premolar was around the 16th month, and its correspondent deciduous was still retained. The occlusal surfaces of upper and lower teeth were at the same level in the 21st month. The eruption of the first lower deciduous premolar occurred between the 22nd and 24th month and the upper´s between the 23rd and 24th month. The occlusal surfaces of lower teeth were at the same level between the 24th and 25th month and the upper's on the 27th month.

dental eruption; agouti paca; captivity