Capybara

The Capybara is the largest rodent in the world and is truly unique let's dive in. The Capybara is 3 to 4 feet long and is 22 to 24 inches. The average Capybara weight is between 77 to 146 pounds. The biggest a capybara has ever weighed was a wild female from brazil she weighed 201 pounds. Capybaras are semi aquatic mammals, they have partially webbed feet that help them swim when they are in the water. The Capybara is found through out all of South America except in Chile. Capybaras are herbivores they feed on grasses, aquatic plants, leaves, and in the dry season they are known to feed on reeds. The most a Capybara can live Is 8 to 10 years. They rarely Ive four years due to being preyed upon by Cougars, Jaguars, Piranhas, Caimans, and Green Anacondas. Capybaras are gregarious, while sometimes they are solitary they will most likely be found in groups between 10 and 20 individuals. During the dry season they can be found in groups between 50 and 100! Female Capybaras give birth to around four pups per litter. Though the Capybara is agile on land they are incredible swimmers , they can stay submerged for up to five minutes! Capybaras sleep in water keeping only their nose up, so they can breath. When temperatures rise during the day Capybaras will wallow in mud or water to keep a cool temperature. Capybaras communicate using barks, chirps, whistles, huffs, and purrs. I hope you enjoyed learning about the Capybara.

Capybara resting on a riverbank in the mud.