THE CAPYBARA 



(Hydrochcerus capybara) 



THE Capybara may be called a gigantic water Guinea-Pig, for it belongs 

 to the same family of the rodents (Caviidce) as our familiar pet, and 

 bears a general resemblance to it in form. Like the Guinea-Pig, it has 

 four toes on the fore-feet, and three on the hind, and is without a tail ; 

 but it stands decidedly high on its legs for a rodent, and its feet are 

 rather peculiar. They are all webbed, and have nails so broad and 

 blunt that they practically amount to hoofs. The Capybara is much 

 the largest of the rodents, being about four feet long in fact, as big as 

 a moderate-sized Pig. Its coat shows no difference according to age, 

 sex, or season, and is coarse and scanty, not completely concealing the 

 skin in places. 



The home of the Capybara, which is also known as Carpincho and 

 Cabiai, is South America, from Brazil to Northern Argentina ; it is 

 essentially a water-side animal, taking refuge whenever disturbed in the 

 water, where it swims and dives with grace and ease. Although feeding 

 to a considerable extent on water plants, however, it grazes on land a 

 good deal, and is found ashore quite as much as afloat. On land it 

 walks easily, and when frightened rushes off with a heavy gallop, 

 emitting a hoarse bark at the same time. When resting, it often sits 

 upon its haunches like a Dog, but, like the Cavy family generally, does 

 not use its fore-feet to lift its food. Capybaras are sociable animals, 

 always found in herds. They are prolific, considering their size, since 

 from five to eight young ones are born annually. 



Their worst natural enemy is the Jaguar, whose principal prey they 

 are in many places ; some also fall victims to Alligators, and they are 

 also persecuted by man in places, as their flesh, though no great delicacy, 

 is edible. The skin is of little value. When not molested, they become 

 remarkably tame, and can be approached within a few yards ; it is said 

 that Horses are very much afraid of them, possibly on account of the 

 headlong rush for the water the uncouth creatures make when disturbed. 

 In its own country the Capybara is a byword for ugliness and laziness, 

 though it seems hard that so harmless a creature should be maligned. In 



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