ANIMAL WORLD

A JOURNEY TO THE SOUTH AMERICAN SAVANNA

Try to imagine this. How big can a rodent be? Think about it for a second. I guess rabbit or cane rat will naturally come to your mind, or probably a beaver or guinea pig. I’m sure you have not thought about a typical Capybara. The capybara is the biggest rodent in the whole of the universe!

Now, let’s walk across the savanna of the South American continent, following the lead of the dominant male. No need to panic, it's not like walking with a pride of lions, capybaras are probably the most friendly species of animals, they'll allow us to hand feed them, and they allow other animals like bird, and other rodents to stand on them. So, they are prepared for us, and will readily allow us to walk alongside them in their daily routine.

They are in usually groups and they graze on grass a lot, but since we can’t join them in doing that, we should be on the watch, just like the older ones in their group, to alert others of danger. This group we’re walking with has just 20 individual, though they can definitely be more than that. These creatures are so unique that the baby capybaras are treated by all females like their own and they allow other babies aside theirs to feed from them.

 Also, you don't have to worry about having to go through tunnels or berries, they simply don't use those means. They walk in the open space. But be prepared because they are really fast, they can run as fast as a galloping horse!

The females are definitely bigger than the males, but the males take the lead. There is a male that is the most dominant among the family, it has a scent gland above its nose and uses it to make scents for warning. They all have analysis scent glands, but the male's own is more prominent. So, as they graze, he rubs the scent on hard objects to help them trace their ways back. So, please, be careful not to badge into these

objects not to alter the scent, lest, I'm afraid we might be lost in the Amazon jungle and that's definitely not going to be a good experience.

However, I've got to sound a note of warning. You have to watch out for enemies and stay at alert. Jaguars lie in the forest and the great anaconda is not far away, capybaras are their favorite food. We may not worry too much about the caiman, since it does its hunting more in water. Thread gently, the snakes are out basking in the sun.

Oh, no! I forgot to tell you to take along a swimming suit. Capybaras swim quite well, the adult can stay under water for up to five minutes! That's 300 000 microsecond! They also have a water resistant fur. They are well adapted that their ears, eyes, and nose are above their head, enabling them to see, hear and smell even while they are in water and are more likely to escape from predators.

You know what?! I think I love these gregarious organisms more, and I'm planning to come back over here to spend my whole holiday with them. I wouldn't mind if you would come along with me. I’m sure you’ll love to come. But, right now, I have to go back to what I am doing. Vamoose! (Let's go!).