Interesting :

- It is the largest rodent - Fur is reddish brown or grey, no tail - Female is rather larger than male with 35 to 66 kg in weight

Habitat :

HABITAT AND ECOLOGY The species occurs only in habitat close to water including marshes, estuaries, and along rivers and streams (Eisenberg and Redford 1999). Depending on habitat and hunting pressure, they are found singly or socially. They are diurnal or nocturnal depending on hunting pressure and the season (Eisenberg and Redford 1999). In Venezuela and the Brazilian Pantanal, the species breeds throughout the year, usually with a single breeding cycle. Gestation lasts up to 120 days after which an average of 3.5 young are born (range, one to seven), the peak birth period is during February in the Brazilian Pantanal (Eisenberg and Redford 1999). They live in large groups of extended family members, with group size varying from 2 to 30 individuals with one dominant breeding male. The mating system is one of resource defence polygyny, where males defend access to foraging resources associated with bodies of water (Lacher 2016).

Food :

- Plants preferably leaves and barks

Behavior :

- Reach maturity at age 18 months

Current Status :

The species occurs in many protected areas throughout its range.

Taxonomy

CLASS : Mammalia

ORDER : Rodentia

FAMILY : Caviidae

GENUS : Hydrochoerus

SPECIES : Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

Conservation status : Least Concern

Age :

- Average lifespan is 6 -12 years

Reproductive :

- It can mate throughout the year with a monoestrous. Mating usually occurs before rainy season - Gestation lasts 130 to 150 days - Give birth to 4 to 5 infants each time

Reference :

For more information

Point of view :

• 1 Chiangmai zoo
• 12 Khonhaen zoo

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Update : 11 April 2017