#capybaras #ngscience #rodents #mammals
Learn all about Ted's favourite animal in the world - CAPYBARAS!
Wetlands are fascinating ecosystems. A wetland is a place that is covered by water for all or part of the year. The water can be fresh, salty or brackish.
If you visit a wetland in South America, you may be lucky enough to stumble across my favorite of all animals...the CAPYBARA.
Capybaras are a type of rodent, but you wont find these guys caught in a mouse trap - They are mighty! In fact they are the largest rodents in the world - standing up to 2 feet tall at the shoulder and weighing up to a massive 150 pounds. That's almost 70 kilograms!
Capybaras are semiaquatic. This means they live partially on land and partially in water.
With eyes on the top of their heads, capybaras are able to stay fully submerged in water while still keep a close look out for predators like anacondas, jaguars and eagles. Capybaras also use the water to stay cool during the heat of the day.
Cabybaras are herbivores which means their diet consists entirely of plants.
Capybaras are highly social animals. They live in large groups with each member of the group helping to defend against predators, raise young and defend their habitat. As mammals, young capybaras are feed milk and may feed from several mothers within their group.
Some bird species think capybaras are a great place to take a rest. But a chilled-out capybara doesn't mind at all...The birds help to keep the capybaras clean by feeding on insects on the capybaras back. Just look at him...he's lovin' it.
OK...last cool fact about these amazing animals...a capybara's teeth NEVER stops growing. To keep them at a reasonable length, they constantly wear their teeth down by chewing on sticks and branches.
15 июн 2024
