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Capybara


Capybara
Photo Information
Copyright: Peter van Zoest (PeterZ) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1215 W: 68 N: 2524] (8319)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-08-05
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Nikon D70, AF Nikkor 70-300mm f4-5.6 G, Digital JPEG
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/320 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-06-06 8:54
Viewed: 708
Points: 64
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This photo is taken from a boat, handheld.

Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, also known as capibara, chigüiro and carpincho in Spanish, and capivara in Portuguese) is the largest living rodent in the world. It is related to agouti, chinchillas, coyphillas, and guinea pigs. Its common name, derived from Kapiÿva in the Guarani language, means "master of the grasses" while its scientific name, hydrochaeris, is Greek for "water hog".

Capybaras have heavy, barrel-shaped bodies and short heads with reddish-brown fur on the upper part of their body that turns yellowish-brown underneath. Adult capybaras may grow to 130 cm. and 50 cm. tall, weighing up to 65 kg . Capybaras have slightly webbed feet, no tail, and 20 teeth.; their back legs are slightly longer than their front legs and their muzzles are blunt with eyes, nostrils, and ears on top of their head. Females are slightly heavier than males.
Though now extinct, there once existed larger capybaras that were eight times the size of modern capybaras (these rodents would have been larger than a grizzly bear). There is also a "lesser capybara", Hydrochoerus isthmius.

Development
Capybaras reach sexual maturity within 18 months and breed when conditions are right, which can be once per year (such as in Brazil) or throughout the year (such as in Venezuela and Colombia). The male pursues a female and mounts when the female stops in water. Capybara gestation is 130–150 days and usually produces a litter of four capybara babies, but may produce between two and eight in a single litter. Birth is on land and the female will rejoin the group within a few hours of delivering the newborn capybaras, who will join the group as soon as they are mobile. Within a week the young can eat grass, but will continue to suckle - from any female in the group - until weaned at about 16 weeks. Youngsters will form a group within the main group. The rainy season of April and May mark the peak breeding season. Like other rodents, the front teeth of capybaras grow continually to compensate for the constant wearing-down from eating grasses; their cheek teeth also grow continuously. When fully grown, a capybara will have coarse hair that is sparsely spread over their skin, making the capybara prone to sunburn. To prevent this, they may roll in mud to protect their skin from the sun.
Capybara have an extremely efficient digestive system that sustains the animal while 75% of its diet encompasses only 3-6 species of plants.

Habitat
Capybara are semi-aquatic mammals found wild in much of South America (including Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, French Guyana, Uruguay, Peru, and Paraguay) in densely forested areas near bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, swamps, ponds and marshes, such as flooded savannah and along rivers in tropical forest. They roam in home ranges of 10–20 ha.

Diet
Capybara is an herbivore (more specifically, a graminivore), grazing mainly on grasses and aquatic plants, as well as fruit and tree bark. An adult capybara will eat 2.7 to 3.6 kg of grasses per day. Capybara's jaw hinge is non-perpendicular and they thus chew food by grinding back and forth rather than side-to-side.
Capybaras are coprophagous, meaning they eat their own feces as a source of bacterial gut flora and in order to help digest the cellulose in the grass that forms their normal diet and extract the maximum protein from their food. Additionally, they may regurgitate food to masticate the food again, similar to cud-chewing by a cow.
Capybaras will not follow the same route while grazing on consecutive days.

Behavior
Capybaras are social animals, usually found in groups, between 10 and 30 (though looser groups of up to 100 sometimes can be formed), controlled by a dominant male (who will have a prominent scent gland on his nose used for smearing his scent on the grasses in his territory.) They communicate through a combination of scent and sound, being very vocal animals with purrs and alarm barks, whistles and clicks, squeals and grunts.
Capybaras are excellent swimmers and can survive completely underwater for up to five minutes, an ability they will use to evade predators. If necessary, a Capybara can sleep underwater, keeping its nose just at the waterline.
During midday, as temperatures increase, Capybaras wallow in water to keep cool and then graze in late afternoons and early evenings. They sleep little, usually dozing off and on throughout the day and grazing into and through the night.

Conservation
Capybara are not on the IUCN list and so not considered a threatened species; their population is stable through most of their South American ranges, though in some areas hunting has reduced their numbers. They have a lifespan of 4-8 years in the wild but average a life less than four years as they are "a favourite food of anacondas, jaguar, puma, ocelot, eagle and caiman".
Capybaras are hunted for their meat and pelts in some areas, and otherwise killed by humans who see their grazing as competition for livestock. The skins are particularly prized for making fine gloves because of its odd characteristic—it stretches in just one direction. In some areas they are farmed, which has the effect of insuring that the wetland habitats are protected. Their survival is aided by their ability to breed rapidly.
Argus, boreocypriensis, eng55, jaycee, maurydv, Gert-Paassen, nglen, pekkavalo1, rousettus, Juyona, zulfu, anel, darwin, uleko, mariki, Silvio2006, Luis52, Adanac, John_F_Kennedy, marhowie, meyerd, clnaef, SelenE has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Peter,
very nice capture, you composed very well and the notes
are very informative.. Well done

Everton

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2620 W: 135 N: 7538] (23519)
  • [2008-06-06 9:02]

Hello Peter,
Fine capture of a Capybara. I like the contrast between its reddish brown fur and the mud-bank BG. Nice sharpness and lighting and great low POV and composition.
TFS this fine image from your archives,
Ivan

Hi Peter, perfect capture of this cute capybara my friend! Today I have so many educational obligations (exams..) Soryy for not additional comment. But perfect shot. TFS. Cheers,

Bayram

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 353 W: 3 N: 376] (1127)
  • [2008-06-06 9:19]

Hi Peter,
Perfect capture.Exposure is spot on,details are sharp and clear.Eye level POV and composition are also wonderful.
Thanks for posting.

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1799 W: 8 N: 4669] (15091)
  • [2008-06-06 10:05]

Hi Peter,

A new rodent for me! You managed an excellent shot from the boat. What a cute face to go along with that sleek looking reddish brown coat. He seems to enjoy sitting in the muddy water. Wonderful colors, fine details and a great natural setting.

Jane

  • Great 
  • cako Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 400 W: 0 N: 384] (2034)
  • [2008-06-06 10:20]

Hi peter
this is a very nice image
well done.

Splendida cattura, eccellenti POV e composizione da "reportage", ottime nitidezza e definizione, bellissima la luminoisità dell'occhio e del pelo, molto belli e naturali i colori. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

Hallo Peter,

mooie opname van deze Capibara waarin hij toch aardig opgaat in zijn omgeving.

Gert

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 5 N: 5602] (21160)
  • [2008-06-06 12:19]

Hi Peter. I do like these animals. they look like a big dog.Great detail in the wet fur.with natural looking colours. well done TFS.
Nick..

Hi Peter,

Very nice capture of this interesing mammal. Great pose and composition, sharp details and good natural colours.

TFS

Pekka

hello Peter,
nice to see again your shots from Brazil. This is great capture for famous Capybara. I have never seen it in nature, but I know it from documentary films and books. This is really great shot with focus, POV, composition and colors. Thanks. have a nice weekend my friend
Ahmet

Hallo Peter,
Een prachtige kop! Heeft zo een beetje de vorm van de hond van Kuifje.
Beetje verbaasd dat ze niet op de IUCN lijst staan.
Ik denk dat ie jullie boot gezien heeft?
Mooi gedaan.
Bedankt en leuk weekend!
Annick

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2048 W: 6 N: 2039] (13325)
  • [2008-06-07 0:58]

Hola Peter,
extraño animal.
habitat hostil, buen foco y detalles.
saludos amigo
pl.

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1009 W: 6 N: 2729] (10145)
  • [2008-06-07 4:01]

Hi Peter,i never seen live this aninals,very perfect pic,excellent colors and sharpness and most interesting note,now i know me too..eheheh...thanks for share,have a nice week end,Luciano

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 529 W: 0 N: 95] (587)
  • [2008-06-07 4:12]

Hi Peter, superb capture of this cute capybara in all aspects. TFS. Greetings,
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1178 W: 0 N: 1991] (8461)
  • [2008-06-07 4:38]

hello Peter,
Interesting and not very common animal here on TN. Good picture in its natural environment. It has an amzaing shape, looks like a mixture of several others. Thanks for this special picture
Anne

Hi Peter
Wonderful capture and composition
Nice subtle contrasts of natural color in his fur and habitat
Superb detail and good sharpness
Great catchlite in eye
tfs jon

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2475 W: 168 N: 7514] (23734)
  • [2008-06-07 8:10]

Hello Peter,
Excellent close-up of this Capybara. The closest to this that I've seen is the Agouti.
Beautiful light and colours and very sharp details. I like the wet and shiny coat! I expect they're pretty shy animals!
Many thanks and regards, Ulla

  • Great 
  • mariki Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 993 W: 65 N: 2031] (8471)
  • [2008-06-07 11:41]

Hello Peter,

Excellent picture of this Capybara. Very good POV, DOF and sharpness. Very good light and colours.
Cheers,
Mariki

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1706 W: 242 N: 5635] (20049)
  • [2008-06-07 12:31]

Great capture, Peter!!!
This looks like a giant Guinea Pig! :-))
Fantastic shot!
Excellent composition and POV.
Superb lighting.
Very sharp - you must have a very steady to have got this so sharp at 1/320 while on a boat! :-)

Well done,
Joe

Hi Peter, splendid portrait of Capybara with fantastic details, interesting note, very well done, have a good week end, ciao Silvi

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1022 W: 5 N: 2802] (10144)
  • [2008-06-07 18:14]

Hola Peter.
Nunca he visto una especie similar a la que hoy nos presentas aqui, con exelente nitidez y colorido. La nota escrita es de gran valor educativo tambien.
Saludos Peter.
Luis52.

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1252 W: 0 N: 4842] (14380)
  • [2008-06-08 9:06]

Hi Peter

Great shot - you have caught this Capybara really well. Great light and detail here. Excellent timing too.

James

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1718 W: 24 N: 5002] (16380)
  • [2008-06-08 9:56]

Hi Peter,
Wonderful shot of this Capybara in its natural habitat. Very impressive sharpness and colours with perfect lighting. Nice pose captured on the muddy water. Excellent POV and composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1052 W: 1 N: 4179] (14054)
  • [2008-06-08 23:59]

Hello Peter,
Splendid capture of this species, showing great detail and color in this great composition. Thank you Peter for sharing.
Rick

Beautiful capture this cute animal. Well presented.
Best wishes,
Achim

He looks cool Peter..literally :)
Excellent in the wild capture mf. Great detail, DOF, POV, and comp.
I have one shot of this animal in my archives from a zoo..
No matter what I did PP...Well, it was still a "zoo" shot :(
Well done & TFS,
Howard

Hi Peter,
wonderful capture and composition. the animal is very attentive towards you. Great picture.
Best regards
Dietrich

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-06-09 7:59]

Hello Peter

This is a very good capture.The details are sharp and well focused.
Lovely lighting and natural colours.
The fur shows well.
Excellent pov and dof.
TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • clnaef Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 765 W: 59 N: 633] (6528)
  • [2008-06-10 23:49]

Bonjour,
Bonnes explications pour ce curieux mammifère.
Bonne journée.
clnaef

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2358 W: 61 N: 3827] (12286)
  • [2008-06-16 8:12]

Hi Peter,
Very nice shot of this cute fellow. Well composed with a good POV. TFS
Best wishes,
Selen

Bien captadas las texturas de la piel y los colores. Oportuna e interesante al ser captada ensu hábitat. Bonito trabajo Peter.

Un abrazo: Josep Ignasi Tejedor

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