The Curious Capybara
Why are they so social, and why do virtually all animals like them? Following Simply Wild’s writing prompt I’ll be discussing what makes capybaras my favourite animal!
A short introduction on Capybaras
Capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) are closely related to beavers and guinea pigs and are the world’s largest rodents! They are native to South America as seen in the map below, where they live in dense rainforests, marshes and swamps. Since they are semi-aquatic, they prefer to live near rivers so are often seen on the riverbanks of the Amazon rainforest hence are most commonly seen in Brazil, Paraguay and Colombia.
They have a distinct brown, pig shaped body and weigh up to 35–66 kg e.g. the size of a small dog. They are semi-aquatic herbivores and are well-adapted for both land and water with their partially webbed feet. Furthermore, capybaras have wiry, long and brittle fur so can dry quickly. Its eyes and nostrils are placed on top of its head, allowing it to stay mostly submerged while still being able to see and breathe.
Other interesting facts:
Like rabbits and horses their teeth continuously grow, so grasses are a large part of their diet to grind them down.
They are autocoprophagous, meaning they eat their own poop! At first this may seem bizarre, but “because the grasses they eat are so hard to digest, eating their waste essentially allows them to digest it twice,” says National Geographic.
Social behaviour and structure
Capybaras are highly social, with groups potentially as big as 100 members, particularly during the dry season when the animals gather around available water sources! However the average group size is 10–20 individuals, usually consisting of a dominant male, a female and her several offspring. They also exhibit strong maternal instincts and engage in cooperative care of their young within the group, where mothers nurse and groom offspring, while other members of the herd help protect and babysit the young.
Their vocalisations and communication methods include: barks, whistles, and purrs, conveying a range of messages like warning calls or mating calls. This is useful to establish territory and social hierarchy within and between herds. Further social cohesion within capybara herds helps provide protection against their natural predators such as jaguars, caimans and anacondas.
Curious capybaras
My favourite thing about these animals is their peaceful nature when interacting with various other species. This may be due to several reasons:
1. They have a generally non-aggressive temperament, which makes them less likely to engage in confrontational behaviour with other animals.
2. When necessary, capybaras form mutualistic or “symbiotic” relationships with other species, helping both parties benefit. For example, the smooth-billed ani in the image below feed on the ticks and other parasites in the capybara’s fur, preventing infestation and irritation.
3. Capybaras are naturally curious and playful animals, interacting with almost all objects and creatures they encounter. This can lead to strange interactions with other species. A great number of animals are found sitting on them to the point they are called “moving chairs!” In recent years they have essentially taken over the internet, having several memes created of them due to their unbothered nature and nonchalance!
Capybaras in culture
Capybaras have large cultural significance in the folklore and mythology of many South American cultures. They are often depicted as symbols of fertility, abundance, and wisdom, and are closely associated with water and the natural world. They are associated with water spirits and are sometimes believed to have the power to bring rain during times of drought. On the other hand, In Paraguay some stories depict capybaras as mischievous creatures who play pranks on unsuspecting villagers, together with kururu (toads)!
Capybara conservation
Currently, their population is classified as “least concern,” however there have been many threats in the past from illegal poaching, and the high deforestation levels could threaten their habitats in the near future. Therefore there have been conservation efforts by the rainforest alliance and there are several monitored capybaras in the wild and captivity.
Overall, the friendly and playful behaviour of capybaras towards other animals and humans reflects their adaptable and sociable nature. This has been illustrated in folklore, and seen in their vital role within local ecosystems in South America.
References
https://capybaralovers.com/guides/capybara-behavior-and-social-structure/
http://genomics.senescence.info/species/entry.php?species=Hydrochoerus_hydrochaeris
http://www.arkive.org/capybara/hydrochoerus-hydrochaeris/ http://www.capybarafacts.com/Capybara-as-Pets.html http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/mammals/capybara/
