Capybara

It’s the largest rodent in the world! It measures in average between 1 m and 1m35 high and weighs between 35 and 65 kg.

It lives in the savannahs and forests of South America, always near water, since it behaves in a semi-aquatic manner, a little like the hippopotamus. It is a great swimmer and diver, thanks to its webbed feet, and it can stay underwater for up to five minutes.

It rushes into the water when being scared, it mates there and – since it is an herbivore – it feeds on aquatic plants. On land, it grazes on grasses and bushes, using its two big incisors. It is quick and if it needs to escape, it is able to run as fast as a horse!

Capybaras live in groups, which sometimes contain up to 100 individuals (but usually not more than 20), including a dominant male, “secondary” males, females and young. These groups are socially so cohesive that they organize “nursery schools”, which allows mothers to go and feed while their young are being looked after by other adults.

• Name: Capybara
• Latin name: Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
• Origin: South America
• IUCN status: Least concerned
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