Capybara Research Paper

Capybara

The capybara is the largest rodent in the world. The capybara's name comes from the native people of South America. It means "master of the grass." The scientific name of the capybara is hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, which means "water pig" in Greek. Capybaras have been in existence since the Pleistocene epoch. Their ancient ancestors were rodents that lived about sixty million years ago. The average size of a capybara is four feet in length and two feet in height. This is about the size of a sheep. Capybaras usually weigh between sixty and one hundred and forty pounds. Many people think the capybara looks like a larger version of a guinea pig. All capybaras have large flat noses, webbed feet, short legs, and no tail. Their fur is very coarse and it is usually a reddish-brown color. Capybaras also have large incisor teeth that continuously grow. Capybaras must constantly gnaw and chew on wood and nuts to wear their teeth down. To protect themselves from the hot sun, capybaras will often rest in nearby pools of water. They will also be found lying mud or in the shade. Capybaras are found in South American countries such as Brazil and Venezuela. They are well adapted for living on land and in the
However, jaguars often hunt capybaras along with caimans and giant anacondas. Humans are probably the most threatening of the capybaras enemies. Humans drain the wetlands to make room for building and farm land. During this process, humans are destroying capybara's habitats. Capybaras are also hunted by humans. They are killed for their meat and their fur. Because of humans, they are becoming more scarce because of hunting and their loss of habitat. They are not considered endangered but some people try to help increase the numbers of capybaras by raising them on ranches. On ranches, capybaras are not threatened by humans and they are protected from their natural