Mammals
CAPYBARA
Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
The capybara is the world’s largest rodent! It is native to South America and can be found prowling the edges of muddy swamps, swimming in jungle ponds and feeding in flooded grasslands.
They are herbivores, eating mainly grasses, herbs and aquatic plants. They consume a wide variety of vegetation, such as grasses and bark, and prefer plants rich in water and fibre. Although their diet is varied, they have seasonal preferences and tend to eat more aquatic plants during the rainy season, while in the dry season they adapt to whatever is available.
They mainly inhabit tropical and subtropical areas of South America. They prefer to live near water, so they are often found in rivers, lagoons, marshes and wetlands in countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela and Colombia. These semi-aquatic rodents adapt well to humid environments, where they swim easily and take refuge from the heat. Their habitat allows them easy access to aquatic and terrestrial plants.
¿Did you know?
They are extremely peaceful animals and usually live in large groups that can include between 10 and 20 individuals, although groups of up to 100 have been seen when food and water are plentiful. They also have a great capacity to coexist with other species: it is common to see birds, turtles and even monkeys interacting or resting on them.
Patagonian Mara
Dolichotis patagonum
The Patagonian mara is one of the largest rodents in the world, with an average weight of 8kg, but there are specimens weighing up to 16kg. It is a herbivorous species and eats mainly grasses and other herbs.
It is one of the largest endemic mammals of Argentina. It lives in semi-arid steppes and thorny bush deserts of western, central and southern Argentina. It has long, strong legs, similar to those of small artiodactyls (deer), which it uses to run at high speed when it feels threatened.
The gestation period of maras is 90 days and each litter can have between 1 and 5 offspring.
¿Did you know?
It is the fastest rodent, being able to reach 45km/h.
CRESTED PORCUPINE
Hystrix cristata
They are the most conspicuous rodents due to their spiny coat. There can be very diverse types of hairs and spines, ranging from soft woolly hairs to long, stiff, swaying quills, often ringed in black and white, to long, flattened bristles, to thick but very elastic bristles.
The backward pointing spines on the rump are particularly thick and long. Some spines can reach 7mm in diameter and 40cm in length.
Did you know?
They are one of the largest rodents in the world. Their teeth grow very quickly.
When they are born, their barbs are just soft hairs that harden after a few weeks.