Capybara: Why does everyone want to be friends with this rodent? After all, kindness and peace seem to contradict the laws of nature (13 photos)

Capybaras, or capybaras, are the largest rodents on earth. All saw a bunch of memes with these sweethearts, everyone knows and loves them. But is it Are animals really good? Spoiler - yes!





You can meet capybara in South America. They settled almost all tropical and temperate zones of the mainland that lie east of the Andes mountain range. Animals almost never leave farther from water bodies than a kilometer. Rodents in the water find both protection from heat, and food, and shelter from predators.



Despite the seeming slowness, the animals are excellent swim and dive. To do this, they have developed several adaptations: thick hard fur, consisting of waterproof guard hair, membranes between the fingers and muzzle brick. That very signature expression of a capybara is not from that she attained Zen. Everything is much more prosaic: high-set eyes and nostrils allow rodents to breathe and see everything around, while their body is completely hidden by water.





And on land, capybaras are in no hurry: they chew fruit and berries that gnaw on the bark - it's still a rodent after all. But the basis of their diet is grass and algae. To get the most calories from low-nutrient food capybara steel almost like cows. No, they don't give milk - but they digest food thrice!



After a hearty dinner, the rodent, like our cows, regurgitate half-digested grass to chew it again. The twice-eaten lunch is sent through the stomach to the caecum for fermentation. This is the process when food is processed by special bacteria, which help to break down hard dietary fibers into simpler ones Components. But that's not all! Released fermented mass of grass from capybara is eaten by rodents again, the process is called cectrophy. In other words, they eat their own poop. It may not look very good, but each calories are absorbed.



This complex mechanism allows capybaras maintain mass: on average, they weigh slightly less 50 kilograms, but some individuals can gain all 90! In theory, such a mountain of meat should become prey for predators No. 1. So it is: jaguars, ocelots, crocodiles, caimans and even predatory birds pose a serious threat to rodents. But like capybaras Do you manage to stay calm and positive? Why even their enemies - crocodiles and caimans - can divide with them a beach spot under the sun? What do rodents have direct deliveries of Novopassit?



It's about intelligence and natural predisposition to pacifism. According to some studies, capybaras can to distinguish when animals want to eat them, and when they just pass past. And if they don't want to dine with you - why be nervous and run away?



The second reason for friendliness is the social way of life. Capybaras live in groups of 10-20 individuals in an area in 10 hectares. And in the dry season, several hundred giant rodents may congregate in small areas near reservoir. But even in this scenario, the fights in their herds - rarity. So the capybara has long been accustomed to society and does not shy away from other animals.



And the animals are drawn to the fluffy pacifist like a magnet. After all capybara is extremely useful for surrounding animals. In case of danger rodents warn each other, and at the same time everyone potential victims in the area. In addition, the capybara is not only a lunch for predators, but also a buffet for insectivores. Monkeys and birds stick around the capybara as soon as she goes out to warm herself on dry land. They spend a rodent spa procedure, eating parasites from wool. And he is glad.



Even reptiles are happy to be friends with capybaras! Calm disposition turns a rodent into a giant heating pad. Turtles and small crocodiles come to bask on the capybara's barrel while she lights up. In short, everyone wants to hang around with big, calm and vigilant guys!



Comprehend Zen and setbring peace to the group allowed a rigid hierarchy. There are 3-4 males in the group, and there is only one alpha among them - usually the largest. females also build their own independent system of domination and subordination, only kids are outlawed. What about reproduction? Is it even Passion doesn't make these Zen monks dizzy? A little. alpha males they can put a subordinate in their place, but without fanaticism. How don't try, the lady has the last word anyway - only she decides with whom and when to mate.



Pregnancy in capybara lasts about 150 days, and up to 8 babies can be born. Female does not build a shelter or den - cubs are ready to follow for her already a couple of hours after birth. family fast rejoin the group. Capybaras do not separate young on friends and foes - if the cub is not yet 16 weeks old, any mother in the group can breastfeed him.



It would seem that with such a good disposition, capybaras should have been exterminated long ago, but no - capybaras numerous view. Moreover, thanks to people, he expands his Habitat: Some people keep capybaras as pets.



Rodents can learn to walk on a leash, perform simple commands and keep the house clean. True, places they need much more than a dog - a big yard is a must and pool. Yes, and they cannot live alone, because it is so important for these friendly creatures to have company and chat.