Sometime, we live and even don’t know how many amazing animals are around us. Small and big, funny and dangerous, cute and ugly, they are an integral part of our lives, even if they live in a far-reaching Africa. Capybara! Have you ever seen it? And do you know that it is the largest rodent in the World? I guess, no. Its name can be translated as “Master of the grasses” (it is from Indian language) and from Latin – a “water dog”.

Appearance

Capybaras bodies are very heavy and big, they posses a form of barrel, but heads and legs are rather short. Bodies are covered with fur, it is reddish and sometimes brown. Capybaras can be up to 130 cm long and 50 cm tall. Weight of these animals sometimes goes up to 100 pounds. Capybaras have no tail and back legs of these animals are longer than the front legs, thus, they look a little bit odd an funny.

Behaviour

Capybaras are very social animals, they prefer living in groups (from 10 to 30 species), a male is dominant and he posses a special scent gland, that helps him to identify and find grass on the territory. Communication goes on with a help of sounds, purrs and whistles.

Dangers

Capybaras are haunted by people because of their skin and meat, also they are haunted by predators, such as: anacondas, jaguars and caiman. Actually, capybaras don’t belong to endangered animals. In some places, capybaras hunting is even restricted. In Venezuela capybaras are allowed to be eaten during the Lent time, when it is possible to eat only fish. But some people still adore things and handbags from capybaras leather.

Funny facts

• in order not be sunburn, capybaras can roll in a mud;
• capybaras are real experienced drivers, because they will easily stay underwater for 5 minutes;
• capybaras can both breathe and see while swimming;
• they adore resting at water during the heat of the day;
• capybaras can hide in water (for example, from predators);
• they can bark, thus, alerting others about danger;
• while hiding from predators, capybaras can sleep in water, holding their noses just right at the waterline;