It’s been quite a few years since I posted a capybara, the world’s largest rodent. I was on a boat in the Pantanal of Brazil when I photographed this mother and her two babies (apparently there is no special name for a baby capybara). The little guy in the foreground was having a nice stretch after napping on the shore while mom kept an eye out for jaguars. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (with 1.4 teleconverter attached for 550mm) ISO 800, f/8 at 1/1000th of a second
Hi Donna, no, none in the US. And they are not aggressive. Basically, they’re a food source for the larger predators in South America, like caiman and jaguars.
There are a very few capybaras “at large” in the US. Sightings have occurred in Florida and Louisiana, and there is another one in central California, but all are elusive. They can be seen at many zoos, of course, but are also found in petting zoos (mostly in Texas). There are a couple dozen being kept as pets, too!
Love these guys!! They were running around the bushes of a resort I stayed at once in the early mornings and early evenings, they were so adorable & not aggressive in any way. In fact, for animals hanging around a resort property, they seemed to have zero interest in humans at all.
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It’s been quite a few years since I posted a capybara, the world’s largest rodent. I was on a boat in the Pantanal of Brazil when I photographed this mother and her two babies (apparently there is no special name for a baby capybara). The little guy in the foreground was having a nice stretch after napping on the shore while mom kept an eye out for jaguars.
Love the stretch!
great pic, what other aminal is this capybara related too.? )
Hey Michael, it is related to other South American rodents like chinchillas and guinea pigs.
—– Stocky and stone cut
—– Posed enigmatically
—– A pantanal sphinx .
Glad they are not part of rodents in our area
But the mother is doing her job protecting her young Great Shot
Thanks. They’re lovable in their own rodent-y way.
The little one in front looks like a wiener dog gone wrong.
I can see that.
Are they a peaceful or aggressive rodent? Are there any in the USA?
Hi Donna, no, none in the US. And they are not aggressive. Basically, they’re a food source for the larger predators in South America, like caiman and jaguars.
There are a very few capybaras “at large” in the US. Sightings have occurred in Florida and Louisiana, and there is another one in central California, but all are elusive. They can be seen at many zoos, of course, but are also found in petting zoos (mostly in Texas). There are a couple dozen being kept as pets, too!
Was so excited when I saw the title of today’s picture. I LOVE the capybaras.
So cute! ^.^
Need more capybaras!
Love these guys!! They were running around the bushes of a resort I stayed at once in the early mornings and early evenings, they were so adorable & not aggressive in any way. In fact, for animals hanging around a resort property, they seemed to have zero interest in humans at all.