Capybara: The Gentle Giants of the Wetlands

Capybaras, the world’s largest rodents, are social and adaptable animals found in South American wetlands and grasslands. In reserves, these herbivores are provided with habitats rich in water bodies, grasses, and sheltering vegetation, closely resembling their natural environments.

Capybaras thrive in groups, with some herds including up to 20 individuals. Reserves ensure that these semi-aquatic animals have access to ponds and rivers for swimming and cooling off, a crucial behavior for their well-being. Rangers monitor their diet and health, often supplementing their food with fresh grasses and aquatic plants.

Educational programs in reserves often highlight the capybara’s role in its ecosystem, such as spreading seeds through grazing and serving as prey for predators like jaguars and caimans. By protecting capybaras, reserves also conserve the delicate balance of wetland ecosystems.