Capybara

The capybara is the largest rodent in the world, and the word "capybara" means "lord of the grass" in one of the indigenous languages of South America.

It spends the morning on land and then descends into the water to spend the warm afternoon hours there. The capybara's eyes, nose and ears are located high on its head, enabling it to be almost completely submerged in water while breathing, seeing and hearing.

The South American rodent can have young all year round, but most matings take place in May, just before the rainy season. The young are born in September and October.

Capybaras usually live in groups consisting of a dominant male, a few females, some lower-ranking males and a varying number of young. Each group has a territory that the dominant male marks with urine. Males can also be seen walking alone and trying to join the group. However, the dominant male will often chase such males away.

• Distribution: Swampy areas in South America from Panama in the north to Argentina in the south
• Population: The capybara is heavily hunted by farmers in certain habitats because it competes with farmers' livestock for food - that is, plants and grass. This is one of the reasons why, in 1968, regulations were introduced in Venezuela to limit the number of capybaras that could be killed each year. As a result, the capybara population is stable today.
• Weight: Males: 35-64 kilos. Females: 37-66 kilos
• Shoulder height: 50-62 centimetres
• Body length: 1-1.5 metres
• Sexual maturity: From 18 months of age
• Gestation: 150 days
• Number of cubs: 2-7
• Diet: Feeds exclusively on plants found in or near water
• Lifespan: 5-10 years
• Latin name: Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris