5 facts about capybaras - the biggest and cutest rodents in the world

1. Capybaras are the largest rodents in the world

These peaceful South American herbivores have massive bodies with short legs and a rounded snout. And they are the largest rodents in the world.

Capybaras are relatives of the well-known guinea pigs. In fact, that's why they are also called capybaras. And the indigenous peoples of Brazil name is these animals are kaapiara, which means “eater of thin grass” - this is where the word already familiar to us came from.

Adult capybaras can to weight 50–65 kilograms and have a length of about 1.3 meters. Their height at the withers reaches 60 centimeters. The largest capybaras registered scientists - a female from Brazil weighing 91 kilograms and a male from Uruguay, who reached 73.5 kilograms.

2. Capybaras swim and run well

Capybaras have excellent swimming skills and can easily move through the water thanks to their dense bodies and small webbing between their toes. In this they are similar to beavers, with whom they also

consist in kindred.

capybaras have anatomical features that help them survive in the aquatic environment. They can hold their breath underwater for up to five minutes. Their eyes, ears and nose are set high on their heads, allowing them to keep an eye on predators when they are in a pond or river.

But on the ground, capybaras feel quite confident. These rodents are able to reach speeds of up to 35 km / h, which helps them escape from attacks.

3. Capybaras are social creatures

Capybaras are very sociable. Their usual group has about 10 animals. However, during the rainy season, the number of members may achieve 40. And in the dry season, they can unite in flocks of up to 100 individuals with a dominant male at the head.

Capybaras are most active at dawn and dusk. But if they feel threatened, they may not sleep at night and rest during the day. The darkness hides them from predators while feeding.

capybara publish various sounds for communication with each other. This can be barking, clucking, grunting, purring, screeching and lingering whining.

They may also chatter their teeth loudly as a form of communication.

The meaning of the sounds made by capybaras varies depending on the context - it can be a warning of the approach of a predator, a signal of friendliness, or simply a designation of weather conditions.

Capybaras show friendliness and friendliness towards other species. Many are known caseswhen capybaras accept animals into their groups that were left without parents or were abandoned by their owners. They allow birds, rabbits and even monkeys in the wild, and in captivity are friends with cats and dogs.

Capybaras also don't mind humans and happily allow themselves to be stroked and touched. But this should not be done with wild individuals, because they can infect people with Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The latter is deadly for children, and it is they who go to cuddle with cute fluffies in the first place.

4. The taste preferences of capybaras are quite specific.

The main diet of capybaras consists of various types of plants. They graze in the fields and consume herbs and cereals. Also, these animals feed on young shoots, branches, bark and leaves of various trees and shrubs. And they can There is aquatic plants such as cattail, water lily and water spinach.

Capybaras also eat fruit when they can find it or if people treat them. They love oranges, pears and watermelons.

But these cute animals regularly exhibit a highly obnoxious behavior that scientists call autocoprophagia.

You see, unlike ruminants, capybaras cannot afford such long intestines, therefore, they do not process fiber very efficiently. And therefore eat own feces to literally digest food again. In this way, capybaras receive more nutrients and can replace the water lost during defecation.

In addition, sometimes capybaras burp the contents of their stomach, chew it a little and swallow it again. It also promotes more efficient digestion. Also, for example, cows do.

5. Capybara can be eaten in fasting

At this point, you may cry - but how can you eat these cuties? But capybaras are quite eaten in some regions of South America. This rodent is part of the traditional cuisine in countries such as Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia and others.

capybara meat has a special flavor and is considered a delicacy in some regions. It can be prepared in many ways and used in various dishes.

Especially the capybara is loved by South American Catholics. In a gastronomic sense.

In some regions of South America, especially Venezuela, capybara is eaten during Lent and Holy Week. The point is that the Catholic Church issued a special permit allowing the consumption of these animals for food, while other types of meat are prohibited. The corresponding papal bull was issued in 1784.

The logic of the Pope was understandable. There have been beavers since the Middle Ages allowed eat during fasting. After all, they live in water, and therefore, is almost like a fish. And the fish is lean. The capybara looks like a beaver, it is also a rodent, it also loves to swim - therefore, its meat is suitable.