Capybara

Leighanna Weems                                                                                                                         Weems 1

Professor Foster 

ENG 111 2WF 

4 April 2023  

Capybara

           Capybaras recently became popular when a video of a capybara riding a crocodile went viral on the social media app Tik Tok. Viewers fell in love with the capybara's unique physical appearance and fearlessness. Capybaras are the largest known rodent on Earth, twice the size of an American beaver. They are characterized by their square-shaped head, stocky body, and short tail. Their strange appearance makes them stand out from other species of rodents. In terms of habitat, they are found throughout South America, and a few have been spotted in Florida recently. They hang out near bodies of water to invade predators when necessary. 

            Most people on social media assume that capybaras have no predators because of the viral video, but this is false. While unafraid of crocodiles, they are prey to many other species including jaguars, pumas, and anacondas. Luckily, capybaras have adapted to survive these predators. They have great eyesight and can hold their breath underwater for over five minutes. When they spot a predator, they dive deep into the water to hide. These adaptations have greatly contributed to the capybara's survival as species, more so than their fearlessness. 

A capybara unafraid to stand next to a crocodile. 

Weems 2 

Work Cited 

(Image) About the Author Lisha Pace After a career of working to provide opportunities for local communities to experience and create art, et al. “Capybara.” AZ Animals, 15 Feb. 2023, https://a-z-animals.com/animals/capybara/.