Municipality of Tourist Interest
Animals of the Brazilian Fauna
Capybara
Nome Científico
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Nome Científico
Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
Características
The capybara is the largest rodent in the world, with a robust body that can weigh between 35 and 65 kg. They have short, thick fur, ranging from light to dark brown, and are easily recognizable by their rounded faces and short legs.
Ocorrência
Found throughout much of South America, capybaras inhabit regions near bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes, swamps, and wetlands, and are common in biomes like the Pantanal and the Amazon.
Comportamento
Capybaras are social animals, living in groups of 10 to 20 individuals. They are semi-aquatic and excellent swimmers, spending much of their time in the water to cool off and avoid predators. They are herbivores and graze during dawn and dusk.
Alimentação
Their diet consists mainly of grasses, aquatic plants, fruits, and tree bark. They have a specialized digestive system for fermenting and extracting nutrients from a high-fiber diet.
Reprodução
Mating usually occurs in the water, and gestation lasts about 119 to 125 days, resulting in a litter of 1 to 8 pups. The young are cared for by the entire group and begin feeding on vegetation shortly after birth.
Preservação
Although the capybara is not endangered, it faces dangers such as hunting and habitat destruction. In some regions, they are hunted for their meat and hide.
Curiosidades
Capybaras have a symbiotic relationship with birds such as white-necked herons, which feed on the parasites found in their fur.
They are very adaptable animals, able to live in both wild and urban areas, where they are often seen in parks and riverbanks.