CapybaraScientific Name : Hydrochaeris

By Mac McpheeMs. Seo

FessendenGrade 6

Scientific classification

Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: chordataSubphylum: vertebrataClass: mammaliaOrder: rodentiaSuborder: hystricomorphaFamily: caviidaeSubfamily: hydrochoerinaeGenus: hydrochoerusSpecies: H. hydrochaeris

appearance

Small eyes on the top of there headSmall rounded ears Heavy rounded bodyNo tailSharp front teeth Feet are slightly webbed Four toes on front Three toes on back

Location in world

Capybaras are located in south America and also panama.Capybaras are found in dense forests near water sources such as streams, rivers, ponds, swamps and lakes.

Life cycle

About 18 months old capybara herd it is only the dominant male that has the breeding rights to the year round females.

and although it can occur all depending on the conditions the breeding season is usually in April and May.after pregnancy period that lasts around five months the female capybara gives birth to between 1 and 8 pups on land capybara young are very well developed at birth.and not only have all their fur and can see but are also able to run swim and dive within hours of birth the female rejoins the main group within hours with her newborn babies

What does it eat

Capybaras are herbivores they eat leaves and fruit and also plants from the bottom of rivers and lakes? Capybaras are strictly vegetarian

Predators

Their predators are jaguars, caimans, and snakes like anacondas which usually eat small capybaras

How does it contribute to the diversity of life

Capybara play a number of important roles in their ecosystem.In many parts of their range they are the only large grazing species so they have a huge impact on the vegetation of the areaThey also serve as a prey animal for many large carnivores many birds eat the insects found in capybara fur and insects

How do humans continue to impact the natural environment of the

capybaraThey are often killed in certain areas for their meat and skin which has led to population declines in these regions The capybara has also been affected by human activity in their native regions in general including both growing human settlementsLand clearance for agriculture it is in these areas that when there is not an adequate supply of food available

What can be done to help this species continue to survive

Don’t pollute in capybara water and do not pollute in there forest or it will kill them

Interesting facts

The capybara is the worlds largest rodentThree toes on the back Four on the front

Final slide

Rainforest animals www.rainforestanimals.netWikipedia www.Wikipedia.comSmithsonian animals (David buhie and don e Wilson)Animals of the world (tom Jackson)

The end