4 Things You Didn't Know About the Capybara

Written By admin on Thursday 11 August 2011 | 01:06

By Joan Lesory


Probably The largest rodent on the planet, the capybara is a relative of the giant jumping rat, mouse, agouti, coyphillas, guinea pigs and chinchillas. The capybara is found in Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, French Guyana, Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Columbia and Panama. It is referred to by several names such as capibara, ronsoco and capivara. They usually have a life span in natural settings of four years though they can live between 8 - 10 years. In captivity they can even live longer and they're found in zoos and parks all around the world. Typically if you encounters them in a zoo they are going to be friendly toward humans and will permit humans to touch them. Living in freshwater and tropical grasslands, the capybara is a gramnivore, which means that their diet includes grass, plants and a little bit of fruit and bark.

Name Origin

In the Gurani Indians' language, capybara actually means "master of the grasses". These big rodents definitely love grass and like otherr rodents, their front teeth also grow continually to provide compensation for the degeneration from eating grasses. Their scientific reference "Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris"- means Water Pig.

Circle of Family

The capybara family group is basically controlled by one dominant male and composed from several females, the younger males and the young ones. The size of groups can vary primarily based on the season, but it customarily ranges from 10 to 100, and roughly 20 is the most typical size.

Communication Means

The capybaras communicate with the utilisation of whistles, barks, squeals, grunts and clicks. Scent is also an important side of a capybara's life. The group's dominant male has an enormous shiny gland on his nose's bridge which is utilized for spreading a scent on his territory's grasses.

An Amusing Fact

The capybara is a great diver and can really dive and stay under the water for a maximum of five minutes.




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