Largest Rodent from South America – Erakina

A Rodent having exceptional Body Size and Appearance 

This species are as long and tall as a barrel with long hairs and have webbed feet.

Classification

     Kingdom –   Animalia

     Phylum –     Chordata 

     Class –        Mammalia

     Order-         Rodentia 

     Family –      Caviidae

     Genus-        Hydrochoerus

     Species-      hydrochaeris

These are found in eastern and southern american riverbanks and due to their dry skin they form a swimming hole to keep their body fit and healthy. They feed on water plants and grasses and use their webbed feet to walk or swim.  They hide under water and wait till night to be safe from predators and also called Semiaquatic animals.

They relate to hippos in terms of  appearance and some growing features of mice, squirrels, porcupines like long teeths.they also eat their own waste from the body to gain useful bacteria for  proper digestion in their stomach. These are social and less threatened animals. Capybara are also related to ruminant animals as they chew to digest.

During mating females have the advantage of choice in mating and alert males during their estrus cycle by making noise through their nose. These prefer to mate in water and if a female shows not to mate with one male she leaves the water. There is a competition between males for mating in a large group.

They can be found in zoos and parks and can easily feed with the humans but feeding with hands is discouraged due to some infection which can cause fever. These are also farmed for their meat and skin but at  some places it’s avoided.

The main fact is the baby Capybara is called Hydrochoerus isthmius.

Young capybara are  taken care of similarly to babies of mammals and are kept as pets indoors and outdoors as well. Their feeding and watering are important also for caring.