The term rodent conjures up images of tiny rats and mice that scuttle through dark holes and leaky pipes in urban sprawls. But did you know that the largest rodent in the world lives in the grassy wetlands of South America is nearly 1.2 metres tall and can weigh nearly 66 kg?
They are called capybaras. These creatures are semi-aquatic and spend much time in rivers. They have partially webbed feet, which helps them swim and dive. They are fast swimmers and can hold their breath for up to 5 minutes under water! This helps them to evade predators such as jaguars and anacondas by diving into water. If all else fails they can bark like dogs to scare off a predator!
They are usually found in large groups and communicate with each other with the help of grunts and whistles. These cuddly creatures are herbivores and eat mostly grass, but will consume fruits, grain and vegetables whenever possible.
They are raised on farms for meat in some countries and their skin is harvested to make high quality leather. They are related to guinea pigs and look quite cute and furry. They are kept as pets in countries like Japan and the U.S.A.
Picture Credit : Google
