capybaras are the largest rodent in the world. They can weigh up to 150 pounds and be about three feet long, with a tail four feet long. Capybaras live near rivers in South America because they need water to keep their skin moist. If you see them on land, it means they’ve been in drought for months and they’re desperate for water. Since capybaras are such large rodents, you may be wondering, just what do capybaras eat to get that big? Let’s dive into the diets of these huge animals!
What do capybaras eat?
Capybaras eat a mix of aquatic plants, grasses and plant roots. They have to eat a lot because they have a limited ability to store fat in their body. Capybaras can’t even go long without food and can go through periods of starvation if they don’t find enough food to eat on a consistent basis. The capybara has a four-chambered stomach that allows them to digest tough plant matter that humans cannot easily digest. In addition, this is multi-chambered stomach is extremely efficient at extracting nutrients from plans.
A study of rinvestigative journal mammals found that 70% of a capybara’s diet comes from just four plants: sedge (cyperaceae), alternating grass (panic grumosum), Bermuda grass (Cynodon), and crown grass (paspalum).
The foods that capybaras eat include:
- aquatic plants
- say
- Grasses
- crown grass
- Switch grass
- Bermuda grass
- There are
- Bark
- plant roots
- reed
How much food does a capybara eat?
A capybara eats between 3% and 4% of its body weight each day, which is about six to eight pounds. An interesting fact about capybaras is that they eat their own poop. Although this may sound distasteful for a human it is actually quite beneficial for capybaras! Their feces are rich in protein. Although capybaras have a specialized stomach to digest many of the grasses they eat, there are still plenty of nutrients to be absorbed by eating their feces and giving the previous day’s meal a second digestion!
What Do Different Species of Capybara Eat?
There are two different types of Capybaras. The lesser capybara is found in Colombia and Venezuela and, as the name implies, is smaller than taller capybara whose range extends across the Amazon and into Argentina. Since the two capybaras live in different locations, the specific life they eat depends on what’s available locally. However, both diets are similar in that they feed on aquatic plants and grasses.
How does a capybara’s diet affect other species?
Capybaras feed on a number of plants that could overwhelm river and lake ecosystems without an herbivore to control their growth. Parts of the capybara range — such as Brazil’s Pantanal — experience more severe dry seasons in which capybaras will change their diet from grasses to reeds. Capybaras are also prey for species such as jaguars, caimans and ocelots. Their large size provides a valuable meal for South America’s largest predators.
Are capybaras dangerous to humans?
Capybaras are not considered dangerous to humans. They are shy animals and will usually hide from people if they see them. However, if they are cornered or feel that their young are in danger, like most animals, they will try to defend themselves. With big teeth have their bites sent people to hospital back in the days.