Random Magical Facts About the Life of the Capybara (16 items)

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  (#12) Several Capybara Groups Can Occupy The Same Home Range

  For most of their lives, capybaras occupy a general “home range” from five to 500 acres. Typically, though, most capybara groups are only willing to defend a much smaller patch of land — an area maxing out at around 50 acres.

  With all that wandering to do, capybara groups are forced to overlap territories. Often, there’s little trouble among groups provided they maintain their distance. Half a mile apart is the sweet spot.
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  (#1) Baby Capybaras Can't Swim

  Though the majority of their lives will ultimately be spent in the water, newborn capybaras are not very good swimmers. As a result, they spend their first several months living near the water, hidden by large brush.

  The entire capybara group works to nurse the young and protect them from harm. Baby capybaras nurse on every female in the community, and beta males work to stay vigilant to protect the group from harm.
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  (#10) Anacondas Are Just One Of The Animals That Find Capybaras Both Cute And Delicious

  Perhaps unsurprisingly, several animals find capybaras to be a wonderful snack. The primary threat to the water hog is the anaconda, but they’re also known to be attacked by jaguar, pumas, and piranhas. Baby capybaras are also susceptible to being carried off by eagles and ocelots. Some South American locals also eat capybara, as well.

  One animal that isn’t known to attack capybara is the South American crocodile. That’s why there have been several photographs capturing capybaras and crocodiles sharing the same river bank.
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  (#5) Capybara Are Designed To Thrive In The Water

  The capybara may not seem like the most agile animal on the planet, but in the water they possess a striking mobility. Their webbed feet make it possible for them to walk through the mud and swim through rivers and streams with ease.

  Furthermore, their facial features are designed to cope with the water. Their eyes and nostrils are located at the top of their heads which allows them to breathe and stay submerged simultaneously, much like crocodiles. When submerged, their ears also close to keep the water out.
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  (#2) Capybaras Get To The Size Of A Small St. Bernard

  Unlike most members of the rodent family, capybaras’ heads are flat and square-shaped. The females tend to be a little larger than the males, but in general they reach approximately the same physical size.

  Capybaras can reach about four feet long and about 20 inches tall. Within that relatively small frame, capybaras pack a lot of density, weighing up to 175 pounds.
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  (#7) Capybaras Are Incredibly Picky Eaters

  Exclusively herbivores, capybara eat a small variety of aquatic plants and grasses. The little porkers eat about eight pounds of grass a day. In the wild, capybara have been spotted setting some species aside in favor of a handful of preferred grasses.

  When the environment turns dryer, capybaras will expand their diet to include a wider variety of plants and tree bark.

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