An animal capybara, or as this animal is also called, a capybara, is a herbivorous mammal that leads a semi-aquatic lifestyle. Externally, capybaras resemble guinea pigs, but much larger in size.
Description
Capybara is the largest rodent living on the planet today. An adult beast reaches the size of a large dog. The capybara reaches 60 cm at the withers, and her body can be from 100 to 135 cm in length. The weight of adult males ranges from 30 to 63 kg, and females from 36 to 67 kg. The largest capybara weighed 70 kg.
Animals are large, look well-fed. Outwardly resemble a guinea pig. The head is massive, the ears and eyes are small. The paws are short, while the front legs are longer than the rear. On the front legs there are four fingers with swimming membranes, on the hind legs - 3.
The capybara's hair is tough, a bit like a beaver skin. The hairs are brown, from 3 to 12 cm in length. The tail is short. Capybar was also described by Gerald Darrell, who indicated that the animals were phlegmatic and good-natured.
Habitat
Capybara lives in the tropical and temperate forests of Central and South America. Capybara is a cute animal called for good reason. For normal life, they simply need ponds. Animals settle on the banks of rivers, lakes, ponds. They can be found in the basins of the Amazon, Orinoco and La Plata.
Lifestyle
Capybaras cannot live far from water. In a period of drought, they flock to the shores of large bodies of water in hundreds, during the rainy season they are dispersed throughout the area. Animals can travel considerable distances in search of food and water.
Capybaras do not just live on the shores. They feel great in a river or lake and are great swimmers. Their eyes and nostrils are positioned so that no liquid enters them. And if the capybara notices the danger, it can simply dive and hide in the water. The animal does not hold its breath, its nostrils remain on the surface.
The capybara can be protected from predators with the help of its powerful large incisors. Both aquatic and terrestrial predators are hunting for capybaras - jaguars, ocelots, wild dogs, anacondas, caimans, crocodiles. Small pigs should also be afraid of large birds of prey.
Nutrition
What does capybara eat? The mammal is a herbivore and feeds on various plant foods. Animals scour in shallow water, looking for tasty herbs growing on the shore. Since the ears, nostrils and eyes are located in the upper part of the head, the capybara can roam in shallow water, plunging almost completely. It is almost impossible to notice a group of grazing animals from the shore because of the low grass.
Capybara is a rodent that leads mainly daytime life. The animals feed on morning, evening or night. On hot noon they rest. However, if people often worry about animals and predators terrorize them, they can switch to a nocturnal lifestyle completely.
The animal capybara eats grass, aquatic plants, tubers, vegetables and various fruits. The rodent cuts plants with its incisors, and chews with the help of indigenous ones. The teeth of the capybara are large, yellow. They grow all their lives.
Social connections
Capybaras live in large families of 10-20 adults. During droughts, they can be collected on the banks of large reservoirs in large groups of more than a hundred individuals. At the head of the capybara family is a dominant male and several females, as well as cubs and subordinate males. It so happens that a high-ranking male expels male competitors, and they are forced to live alone. Capybaras actively communicate with each other with the help of various sounds resembling barking, clicking, whistling.
Breeding
The animal capybara becomes sexually mature at 15-18 months. Mammals can mate all year long, but the breeding season usually falls at the beginning of the rainy season. Pregnancy of the female proceeds quickly. Kids are born after 150 days. A female can give birth to up to 8 cubs.
Babies weigh about 1.5 kg. They are born independent, covered with wool. Their eyes are already open, the teeth have erupted. Small capybaras feed on breast milk for another 3-4 months, after which they begin to feed on their own. Usually a female brings one litter, but in good conditions she can give birth 2-3 times a year.
Farms
An animal capybara is bred on farms in Venezuela. Their meat is used as food and tastes like pork to taste. The application is also found in the skin of animals, and their subcutaneous fat is used in pharmaceuticals.
Since capybaras live in wetlands, their breeding is seasonal. In the rainy season, they disperse over a vast territory and breed, and in the dry season they gather in a limited area, where part of the herd is selected for slaughter.
Captivity
Recently, an animal such as capybara has become popular. Photos of these cute animals are distributed on the network. Many dream of having such a charming pet. And this is quite possible if you live in a tropical climate.
Capybara, the photo of which cannot leave indifferent, can really become an excellent companion. The animals are completely non-aggressive, affectionate, trusting, quickly attached to humans and capable of learning. Some gifted individuals can be trained in various tricks and teams.
Capybaras are clean. They can be walked on a leash, like dogs. In captivity, animals can live up to 12 years. Capybara needs a large enclosure with a pond. Mandatory shadow in which the animal can hide from the sun. The capybara is fed with rodent pellets, hay, aquatic plants, grass, vegetables. They also need branches of shrubs and trees that you can grind your teeth about.
Interesting Facts
Here are some interesting facts about capybaras.
- Capybara is the only species in the Hydrochoeridae family. However, some scientists distinguish a separate dwarf species of mammals, significantly inferior to ordinary capybaras in size.
- The capybara is recognized as the largest rodent in the world living at the moment. But the distant ancestors of rodents were the size of a modern bear.
- In the language of the Guarani Indians, the animals are called Kapiyuva, which means "master of herbs."
- During the conquistadors, the Pope announced that capybaras are fish, as they spend most of their time in the water. This decision allowed the use of rodent meat for food even during fasting.
- In many countries, capybaras are hunted because they are believed to be harmful to agriculture. In fact, rodents feed mainly on aquatic and swamp plants.
Capybaras are peaceful and friendly mammals with good looks and interesting behavior. Thanks to sociability and good-naturedness, they can become pets.