Imagine a rodent. Then give it webbed feet and a pet-like personality. Now make it weigh 200 pounds. Congratulations, you just invented the capybara! These world’s largest rodents spread their cuteness all over the jungles and savannas of South America. Here are 10 fun facts that will make you fall in love with them!
#1: Capybaras are closely related to guinea pigs and rock cavies (small rock-climbing rodents native to Brazil).
#2: As semi-aquatic mammals, capybaras are great swimmers. They can hold their breath for 5 minutes underwater!
#3: Capybaras sometimes sleep in with their bodies submerged in water, resting their noses on the riverbank so they can breathe!
#4: Despite their stocky bodies and webbed feet, capybaras can run up to 22 miles per hour.
#5: Like beavers and guinea pigs, capybaras’ teeth never stop growing. That’s because their teeth are constantly worn down by chewing on plants.
#6: Capybaras are picky eaters and some individuals prefer a specific type of grass. When grazing, they often avoid the blades of grass that aren’t their favorite!
#7: Like humans, capybaras can’t produce their own Vitamin C. This means they can develop scurvy, just like pirates who didn’t eat any fresh fruits or vegetables.
#8: Capybaras live in groups with 10 - 20 members. In the dry season, when resources become scarce, these small groups merge into a community of up to 100 capybaras to more efficiently search for food and water.
#9: To communicate with other group members, capybaras can bark, chirp, whistle, huff, and purr!
#10: Capybaras tend to be very friendly and relaxed around other animals. Birds, rabbits, and even monkeys have been spotted sitting on them, pecking off pests that are in the capybaras’ fur!
If you ask me, capybaras are the ultimate adorable rodents. And they’re more like humans than you would think! What trait do you share with capybaras? Click the blue button below to vote! 👓