21 Apr The Lesser Capybara
By Natalie Warner
Did you know that Panama is home to the world’s second largest rodent? No need to call your local pest control or find a cat to guard the house. These guys are much bigger than your cat. The lesser capybara is a semi-aquatic animal that is found in marshes, ponds, and lagoons.
There are two species of capybara. The common capybara is found throughout South America, excluding Panama. This species is the largest rodent in the world weighing in at 66kg (145lbs) and measuring 1.25m (4ft) in length. The lesser capybara is only found in Panama and is a slightly smaller species compared to the common capybara. Lesser capybaras grow to 1m (3ft) and weigh 27kg (60lbs). Both species belong to the genus, Hydrochoerus, meaning water hog. The genus is kind of perfect considering they are short and stocky looking, like a pig.
Capybaras have short brown hair, webbed feet, short legs, blunt snouts, and almost no tail. Like other water dwelling animals, their eyes and nostrils are located toward the top of their head. This allows them to be semi-submerged and to hide from predators while in the water. Capybaras can stay under water for up to 5 minutes.
These animals are very social and very vocal. They communicate with a variety of barks, chirps, whistles, huffs, and purrs. Lesser capybaras live in groups, called herds, which can range between 10-20 members. Each herd typically consists of one dominant male, several females, and their offspring. Herds average 1 male for every 2 females. Subordinate males act as sentinels (lookouts) and alert the herd of predators.
Capybaras give birth to an average of 4 babies, called pups. Gestation can take between 100-110 days. Pups weigh between 1-1.5kg (2-3lbs) and are not very good swimmers at birth. All females in the herd nurse babies communally.
Capybaras spend much of the cooler parts of the day, morning and evening eating, while the hotter parts of the day are spent in the water. Capybaras are completely vegetarian, eating mostly aquatic grasses and plants. Adults eat up to 3.6kg (8lbs) of food in one day. Some farmers have also called them pests, as they have been known to eat fruits including melons, squash, and grains.
They can live up to 10 years in the wild, and up to 12 years in captivity. Their biggest natural predators are cats of prey, including jaguars and ocelots. Harpy eagles and caimans have also been known to prey on capybaras. Humans also pose a threat to capybaras, including deforestation. Despite this, capybaras are listed as least concern IUCN Red List.
Capybaras are farmed for their meat and leather. It is said that capybaras taste like pork. Capybara is a common dish in Venezuela, especially during Lent. The popularity of it resulted in the Vatican declaring capybaras to be a fish rather than meat.
Lesser capybaras can be found around the Charges River and throughout the Gamboa Rainforest. Although social creatures within their herd, capybaras tend to be vary wary of predators. Seeing them can be a fun experience, but may also require some silence and patience if you hope to capture a photo.