Today I’m at the Valley Zoo here in Edmonton covering Robert Bateman’s GET TO KNOW Contest! The morning is sure to be packed with great stuff about the program and meeting the awesome staff at the zoo and some really cool kids who are inspired by animals to paint, and draw…but i’m REALLY hoping to catch a glimpse of my favorite ZOO animal…the CAPYBARA!
About 4 years ago, I went there for remote and found tremendous interest in the CAPYBARA – the world’s largest rodent…i stood there in front of their ‘area’ and giggled and giggled…i wanted to share my passion with you!!!
Capybara Facts
Order: Rodentia
Family: Hydrochoeridae
Genus and Species: Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris
Capybara are the largest rodents in the world. Three male capybaras live at the Zoo’s 
Elephant House.
Description: Capybaras have heavy, barrel-shaped bodies with short heads. Their fur is reddish brown on the upper parts and yellowish brown underneath. Adult capybaras may be as long as 130 centimeters (more than four feet) and 50 centimeters (1.6 feet) tall, and weigh more than 100 pounds.
Range and Habitat: The capybara is found in Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas and Peru, south through Brazil, Paraguay, northeast Argentina, and Uruguay. Semi-aquatic, they frequent dense vegetation surrounding lakes, rivers, swamps, marshes, and ponds.
Diet: The capybara is a grazing herbivore, eating mainly grasses and aquatic plants.
Behavior: Capybara are highly social and live in groups controlled by a dominant male.
Conservation Status: Capybara populations are considered stable through much of their range, but hunting in some areas has reduced their numbers.
Fun Fact: Capybara dive and may remain underwater for as long as five minutes.
hee hee…..he makes me giggle…or she, maybe it’s a she…not sure…but get to know the capybara….what a character!!