“…and today we’re talking about a rodent of unusual size.”
In the verdant wetlands of South America the world’s largest rodent lives a serene, communal life. The capybara’s day is spent basking in the early morning sun or submerged in cool, refreshing water, their eyes above the surface, watching for signs of predators. But these resplendent role models of rodentia are comfortable on both field and stream, giving them and escape route no matter what comes their way in Life, Death, and Taxonomy.
Description of the Capybara
- Imagine a guinea pig, then feed it a lifetime supply of protein shakes and creatine—that’s a capybara.
- Brownish, coarse fur that looks perpetually damp, like it just left the pool but forgot its towel.
- Barrel-shaped body with a compact, round head and small ears perched like afterthoughts.
- A sturdy set of webbed feet, perfect for living its best semi-aquatic life.
- Expressive black beady eyes that scream, “I know I’m cute, but I’m also judging you.”
Measure Up
Welcome to the beloved Measure Up segment. The official listener’s favorite part of the show! The part of the show when we present the animal’s size and dimension in relatable terms through a quiz that’s fun for the whole family. It’s also the part of the show that’s introduced by you when you send in audio of yourself saying, singing, or chittering the words Measure Up into ldtaxonomy at gmail dot com.
Weight
77 to 146 pounds (35 to 66 kilograms)
- 778 12 ounce soda caps
- 4 go into the a spectacled bear
- 55 go into the world’s largest burger
Height
20 to 25 inches (50 to 64 centimeters)
- 47 septillion go into the distance to the Andromeda galaxy
- 373 sextillion go into the distance to Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy
- 29 go into the height of Sonny Eclipse?
Fast Facts about the Capybara
- Range: Found throughout South America except for Chile; they love rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
- Habitat: Loves a mix of land and water. Think marshes, riverbanks, and places where you can’t tell where the mud ends and the water begins.
- Diet: Herbivore; munches on grass, aquatic plants, and even bark when feeling fancy.
- Mating behavior: Romance isn’t dead in capybara culture; males court females with subtle vocalizations and… pee trails.
- Social behavior: These extroverts live in groups of 10-20, but they’re not picky about sharing—birds and monkeys sometimes just chill out and vibe with them. Also, young are weaned in 16 weeks and can feed from any female in the herd. This is called alloparenting – when an animal cares for young that aren’t its own.
- Sounds: Whistles, purrs, barks, and grunts
- Lifespan: 8-10 years in the wild; longer in captivity where the snacks are unlimited.
- Predators: Jaguars, anacondas, and crocodiles; but their true nemesis is the humble mosquito.
- Fun fact: Capybaras can stay underwater for up to five minutes, which is about as long as you can hold your breath when seeing their pictures.
Major Fact: Not Your Grandmother’s Rodent
Capybaras, despite their seemingly laid-back nature, have some interesting ways to defend themselves against predators like jaguars and crocodiles.
1. Safety in Numbers: Capybaras are highly social animals and live in groups. There’s safety in numbers, as a group can keep an eye out for danger more effectively than an individual.
2. Alert System: They have a sophisticated alert system. When one capybara senses danger, it will make a barking sound to warn the others. This gives the group a chance to flee to safety.
3. Water Refuge: Capybaras are excellent swimmers. They often live near water bodies and will quickly dive into the water to escape predators. They can stay submerged for up to 5 minutes and even sleep in the water with just their noses above the surface.
4. Speed and Agility: On land, capybaras can run quite fast for short distances. This speed and their agility help them evade predators in the critical moments after they’ve been alerted to danger.
5. Camouflage: Their brownish fur blends well with the vegetation in their habitats, making it harder for predators to spot them, especially when they are still and quiet.
6. Strong Teeth: If cornered, a capybara can use its strong, sharp teeth to defend itself. While they prefer flight over fight, they are not completely defenseless.
Ending: So bark at your friends, leave a respectable trail of urine to woo your mate, and stay off the Rainforest cafe menus like the capybara here in LDT.