The animal capybar is the largest rodent. Description, photo

An animal capybara, or what else is called this animal, cappuccino, is a herbivorous mammal, leading a semi-aquatic life. Externally, the capybars resemble guinea pigs, but are much larger than their size.

Description

Capybar is the largest rodent living today on the planet. Adult animal reaches the size of a large dog. The capillary reaches 60 cm at the withers, and its body can be from 100 to 135 cm in length. Weight of adult males varies from 30 to 63 kg, and females - from 36 to 67 kg. The largest capybara weighed 70 kg.

Animals are large, they look well-nourished. Externally reminiscent of guinea pig. The head is massive, the ears and eyes are small. The paws are short, while the forelegs are longer than the hind legs. On the front paws are four fingers with swimming membranes, on the back - 3.

The wool of the cape is stiff, a bit like a beaver skin. Hairs are brown, from 3 to 12 cm in length. The tail is short. Capibar was described by Gerald Darrel, who pointed out that the animals are phlegmatic and good-natured.

Habitat

Capybara inhabits the tropical and temperate forests of Central and South America. This cape is called a caprine animal for good reason. For normal life, water bodies are simply necessary for them. Settling animals on the shores of rivers, lakes, ponds. They can be found in the basins of the Amazon, Orinoco and La Plata.

Lifestyle

Far away from water capybar can not live. In the drought period, they flock to the banks of large reservoirs in hundreds, during the rainy season they are dispersed along the terrain. In search of food and water, animals can travel long distances.

Capybars do not just live on the banks. They perfectly feel themselves in the river or lake and are excellent swimmers. Their eyes and nostrils are arranged so that the liquid does not enter 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.

From carnivores predators can protect themselves and with the help of their powerful large incisors. Capybarans are hunted by water and land predators - jaguars, ocelots, wild dogs, anacondas, caimans, crocodiles. Small guinea pigs should also be afraid of large birds of prey.

Food

What does capybara eat? The mammal is herbivorous and feeds on various plant foods. Animals wander in shallow water, searching for tasty herbs growing on the shore. Since the ears, nostrils and eyes are located at the top of the head, the cappuccino can wander in shallow water, almost completely submerged. It is almost impossible to notice a group of grazing animals from the shore because of the low grass.

Capybara is a rodent, which mainly leads a day-time life. Eat small animals in the morning, in the evening or at night. On a hot afternoon they rest. However, if animals are often disturbed by humans and terrorized by predators, they can migrate to the nocturnal life completely.

The animal of capybara feeds on grass, water plants, tubers, vegetables and various fruits. The rodent cuts off the plants with its incisors, and chews them with the help of indigenous ones. Teeth of capybar are large, yellow. They grow all their lives.

Social connections

Capybar live in large families, 10-20 adults each. During a drought, they can gather on the shores of large bodies of water in large groups of more than a hundred individuals. At the head of the family is the dominant cages, a dominant male and several females, as well as cubs and subordinate males. It happens that a high-ranking male expels male competitors, and they are forced to live alone. The cappuccinos actively communicate with each other through various sounds resembling barking, clicking, whistling.

Reproduction

An animal capybara becomes sexually mature at 15-18 months. Mammals can mate all year round, but the breeding season usually occurs at the beginning of the rainy season. Pregnancy of the female proceeds quickly. Babies are born after 150 days. The female can give birth to up to 8 young.

The kids weigh about 1.5 kg. They are born independent, covered with wool. Their eyes are already open, the teeth have erupted. Small capybars feed on mother's milk for another 3-4 months, after which they begin to feed themselves. Usually the female brings one litter, but in good conditions can give birth 2-3 times a year.

Farms

An animal capybara is bred on farms in Venezuela. Their meat is used for food and to taste it looks like pork. The application is also found in the skin of animals, and their subcutaneous fat is used in pharmaceuticals.

Since carpets live in wetlands, their breeding is seasonal. In the rainy season, they disperse over a vast territory and multiply, and in the arid gather in a limited area, where a portion of the herd is selected for slaughter.

Content in captivity

Recently, such an animal as capybara has become popular. Photos of these cute animals spread through the net. Many people dream of having such a charming pet. And this is quite possible if you live in a tropical climate.

Kapibara, whose photo can not leave indifferent, can really become an excellent companion. Animals are completely non-aggressive, affectionate, trusting, quickly attached to a person and capable of learning. Some gifted individuals can be trained in various tricks and commands.

The capes are clean. They can be walked on a leash, like dogs. In captivity, animals can live up to 12 years. Capybara needs a large aviary with a pond. A shadow is required in which the animal can hide from the sun. Feed gullet granules for rodents, hay, water plants, grass, vegetables. They also need branches of shrubs and trees, about which you can grind your teeth.

Interesting Facts

Here are a few interesting facts about cappuccinos.

1. Capybara is the only species in the family Hydrochoeridae. However, some scientists distinguish a separate dwarf species of mammals, considerably inferior to ordinary cappings in size.
2. The cappuccino 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.
3. In the language of Guarani Indians, animals are called kapiyuva, which means "master of herbs".
4. At the time of the conquistadors, the Pope declared that the carpets are fish, since they spend most of their time in the water. This decision allowed the use of rodent meat for food, even during fasting.
5. In many countries, capibar is hunted, as it is believed that they are harmful to agriculture. In fact, rodents eat mainly water and marsh plants.

Capybari - peaceful and friendly mammals with a pretty appearance and interesting behavior. Thanks to their sociability and good-naturedness, they can become domestic pets.