Capybara is one of the most popular animals in South America. The popular capybara is also popular as a healing animal in zoos. However, they actually live in the jungle and are animals that have lived in a harsh animal society. In Brazil and Argentina, where they live, how did they survive with so many carnivorous animals?
Capybara abilities and habits
Capybara is a member of the rodent family and is the largest rodent currently living on earth. Capybaras are thought to be soothing because they move slowly, but they actually have amazing abilities and unexpected features that are not well known to humans.
They like hot springs
Capybaras live in the Amazon basin of Brazil and prefer warm climates. In other words, I really like hot environments, but on the other hand, I hate cold environments very much. There are many tourist spots called capybara hot springs in the world. The preferred water temperature for capybaras is 42-43°C, which is similar to that of humans. For this reason, it is said that hot springs are suitable for capybaras.
take over human settlements
Capybaras are also very strong animals. In Argentina, trouble broke out between capybaras and residents of the Nordelta district, a regional gated community north of Buenos Aires. For several weeks in 2021, wild capybaras appeared in groups and settled in residential areas. The capybara was destroying the garbage can and spreading excrement. The Nordelta area was originally a habitat for various species of wildlife, including capybaras, but has become a residential area due to human development.
50km/h speed
Capybaras are impressive for their leisurely appearance, but they are actually fast-footed animals that can reach speeds of 50 km/h. In fact, capybaras live in the Amazon River region, where the fierce carnivores of South America live. This means that capybaras have to run fast because they have predators such as anacondas, crocodiles and jaguars. Capybaras in the wild have lean, muscular bodies like athletes. The muscles around the buttocks are especially developed, and they can run like jumping longer than their own body length.
teeth keep growing
One of the characteristics of capybaras is their large teeth. Capybara is an animal called a rodent, but rodents are animals whose front teeth continue to grow throughout their lives. Rodents, including capybaras, scrape their teeth by gnawing on rocks and tree branches because overgrown teeth make it difficult to eat. If the tooth has grown too long, the treatment may involve cutting or grinding the tooth.
good at swimming
Swimming is one of the characteristics of capybaras. The reason they can swim is to escape from predators. Capybaras have webs between their fingers and are good at swimming. A capybara can stay underwater for up to five minutes without breathing. A capybara’s eyes, nose, and ears are in a straight line, so it can see its surroundings underwater.
very strong sense of camaraderie
Capybaras are very family-oriented animals. Capybaras live in groups, and females nurse and nurse jointly, even if they are not their own offspring. Also, mothers are always watching over their children and guarding them when danger approaches. If attacked, an adult capybara will come forward to hide the child and raise a threatening voice.
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