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Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
What is it? Is it a beaver? a pig? Nope, its a capybara - the world's largest rodent! Standing about two feet tall and weighing up to 150 pounds, capybaras look like barrels with legs.
The capybara’s scientific name, Hydrochoerus, means “water hog” and true to their name Capybaras favor riverbanks, lakes, ponds, and marshes throughout Central and South America. Typically they live in groups of 10 to 30 animals and spend their days feasting on .water plants and grasses. They use their water habitats to escape from danger. If you look closely you'll notice that a capybara's eyes, ears, and nostrils are all found near the top of the animal’s head. A capybara can lift just those parts out of the water to see what's going on, while the rest of its body remains hidden underwater. Capybaras also have webbed feet making it an excellent swimmer!
These photos are of Charlie the capybara. For many years, Charlie liked to hang out around Napo lodge and was such a friendly fellow that he would often wander over to the hammock house looking for a scrach behind the ears or a belly rub. Capybaras are incredibly vocal animals and communicate using barks, chirps, whistles, huffs, and purrs and Charlie was quite vocal when he wanted your attention! In 2012 he left, never to return. We hope that Charlie wandered into the swampy habitats along the Napo river in search of a mate!
6 Comments
Cute story! Two feet tall and 150 pounds?! Wow that really is BIG for a rodent! I wish I could scratch him and hear him purr. :-)
^^ so cute
I hope Charlie didn't return because he found himself a mate. I "met" a juvenile capybara in the mangrove swamps in Cuba - our guide whistled & it appeared - It turned out it had been hand reared & was very habituated to people. He allowed everyone to rub his belly & seemed very happy with all the attention.
Thanks rangers Maria dB & auntnance123
Very nice series!
Nice story. Maybe one day his kids will show up for a belly rub.