Capybara is a guinea pig
Capybara or boa constrictor is a semi-aquatic herbivorous mammal from the boa subfamily, a representative of rodents in the cavy family. The scientific name Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris translates as water pig. The capybara is the largest rodent in the world. Another representative of the genus – small capybara (Hydrochoerus isthmius) is now considered as a separate species. Close relatives of capybara are also guinea pigs and moko (mountain pig), and more distant such American rodents as agouti, chinchilla and nutria.
Native inhabitants of South and Central America call this rodent differently: caprincho, conio, corpincho, capigua, chiguire. It is believed that the Guarana Indians gave the most accurate name to this animal. “Kapiyuva” in their language means “owner of grass”, which is generally true, since the animal lives on the banks of rivers and lakes and feeds exclusively on grass and aquatic plants. In the dialect of Tupi tribes, capybara sounds like “kaapiuara”. This word consists of three parts. These are “kaa” meaning “leaf”, “pii” meaning “thin” and “y” meaning “eat”. Three parts of the word “kaapiuara” end with the suffix “ara”. Therefore, the word capybara means one who eats thin leaves or a herbivore. As the international name of the animal, a modified version of the word took hold, namely “capybara”. In Europe, the rodent is called more prosaically – a capercaillie due to its resemblance to a guinea pig.
What does she look like?
The capybara, outwardly similar to a guinea pig, has a body length of 1 to 1.35 meters and a height at the withers of 51 to 63 centimeters. This animal can reach up to 75 kilograms, but females are able to gain weight even up to 90 kilograms. The body is stout, with a large, almost square-shaped head. The large head ends in a blunt snout with slit-like nostrils that close when diving. Small eyes are pushed back, and the ears are small, rounded in shape. Thanks to the high location of the ears and eyes, the capybara can keep them above the water while swimming. Her limbs are relatively short, with four toes on her front feet and three on her hind feet. The fingers are united by a swimming membrane and end in short but strong claws.
There are twenty teeth in the animal’s mouth, while incisors, thin and sharp, are of particular importance. They are large and bright yellow-hot shade. Teeth do not have roots, so they continue to grow throughout the animal’s life. The surface of the tongue is covered with many tubercles. Capybara fur has a hair length of 3 to 12 centimeters. It is rough and tough, does not contain undercoat. Because of this, the animal’s skin is sensitive to direct sunlight, so water pigs often take mud baths to protect themselves from the sun. The main color of the coat can be different: from reddish-chestnut to dark brown shade. The lower part of the body (abdominal area) is always lighter and has a yellowish-brown shade. In some individuals, you can find black spots on the face. Young capybaras are lighter in color.
Capybaras are American rodents
Capybaras are American rodents, their range (distribution) extends over most of Brazil, Uruguay, Venezuela and Colombia, south to the Argentine pampas and west to the Atlantic coast. In the American state of Florida, where capybaras have not been found before, the nature is quite suitable for them – warm, humid, many swamps. These American rodents are now increasingly common in Florida. Most likely, these are animals that were taken into homes by Americans and then abandoned, released or simply escaped. Local biologists are sounding the alarm: they assume that porcupines in their new habitat gather in herds and actively reproduce.
The main factors limiting the distribution of capybaras are air and water temperature. In the mountains, capybaras are found up to a height of 1,300 m above sea level.
Capybara – guinea pig: way of life
Capybaras are active during the day, but may switch to nocturnal activity where they are attacked. Animals do not dig holes, do not make nests, but make beds on the ground. They swim and dive well. When swimming above water, only the nostrils, ears and eyes are visible. They like to lie in mud baths for a long time. These are herbivores. They feed mainly on various aquatic and coastal plants. Sometimes the bark and fruits are also used. They are also characterized by coprophagy, in the morning they re-eat food (faeces) of the previous day. To be full, a capybara needs to eat about 3.5 kg of grass per day.
The capybara leads a semi-aquatic lifestyle; it is rarely more than 500-1000 m away from the water. Its distribution is associated with seasonal fluctuations in the water level – during the rainy season, capybaras are scattered over the territory, in the dry season they gather on the banks of large rivers and other permanent bodies of water and often pass in search of water and live long distances.
During the heat of the day, it rests in shallow shelters, in shallow water or in shaded areas near the water; takes mud baths.
Capybara is a semi-aquatic animal
The capybara is a semi-aquatic animal that hides in the water in case of danger, diving or hiding among aquatic vegetation and exposing only its nostrils to the surface. However, she prefers to rest on the ground.
In nature, capybaras live 9-10 years, in captivity this period reaches 12 years. Capybaras are easily domesticated and tamed. The local population in all countries where the animal lives not only eat its meat, but also keep capybaras as pets.
These rodents have a unique social structure that can be compared to a harem. Usually there are 12 to 20 individuals in the family, headed by a male surrounded by females and his cubs. It is interesting that adult males who obey the leader can also live in the pack. The surrounding territory is divided between different families, and the leaders periodically fight over the boundaries of their possessions. These fights for new territories are an integral part of the life of this species and demonstrate unique aspects of behavior and social organization.
Rodents communicate with each other with the help of their own language, using various sounds: whistling, barking, clucking and clicking, as well as the smell of the secretions of the olfactory gland, which is located in males on the muzzle. These sounds allow them to convey information about their position, about danger or other important events. As animals with no mating season restrictions, capybaras can reproduce at any time of the year. To attract the attention of females, males leave marks on plants.
Pregnancy period
The gestation period lasts about 150 days, after which they give birth to their babies on land. Newborn babies weigh about 1.5 kg. Their eyes are already open, they are covered with fur and already have permanent teeth. They begin to feed on grass and fruit and develop rapidly. Capybaras become adults after reaching the age of 17-18 months. Usually two to six babies are born in a litter and they are fed with milk for 16 weeks. The maternal instinct of this species is so strong that they do not distinguish their cubs from others. Sometimes they become wonderful adoptive mothers and take care of other people’s cubs.
Capybaras are not considered an endangered species; their population is stable over most of their South American range, although hunting has reduced their numbers in some areas. Capybaras are hunted for their meat and hides in some areas, and in other cases they are killed by people who see their grazing as competition for livestock. In some areas, they are bred on farms, which ensures the protection of wetland biotopes. Their survival is facilitated by the ability to reproduce quickly.
Capybaras have adapted well to urbanization in South America. They can be found in many areas in zoos and parks and can live up to 12 years in captivity, more than double their lifespan in the wild. Capybaras are docile and will usually allow people to pet and hand-feed them, but physical contact is usually discouraged because their ticks can carry Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Capybara enemies
The capybara’s main natural enemies are anacondas and caimans in water and jaguars on land. Capybara cubs are preyed upon by birds of prey such as vultures (Coragyps atratus) and feral dogs.
The capybara is not an endangered or protected species. Agricultural land development and the creation of pastures often benefit capybaras by providing them with food and water during droughts. As a result, the number of capybaras in the pasture area may be higher than in undeveloped areas. The highest population density is estimated at 2–3.5 individuals/ha.
Capybara in a semi-wild state are bred on special farms to obtain meat and leather products; they are also used as a source of fat for pharmaceutical needs. Capybara meat tastes and looks like pork.