Where is the capybara? Capybaras are large capybaras
Caplin Rose is the most famous capybara in the world. A photo of an animal living in Texas constantly gets on the front pages of magazines dedicated to the life of animals. The reason for this success lies in Caplin Rose. She is very sweet and funny, which captivates others at first sight.
In truth, these traits are common to all capybaras. However, unlike the Texas pet, wild animals are forced to take care of themselves and their offspring on their own. But from this their life becomes even more exciting and interesting for others.
Superficial view of the capybara
Capybara is a unique semiaquatic herbivore mammal from the capybara family. Its peculiarity is that only one single representative of the family has survived to this day. All the rest, alas, could not withstand climate change and died out hundreds of thousands of years ago.
The capybara is also remarkable in that it is largest representative detachment of rodents that live on our planet. So, some individuals of this species are able to grow up to 1.2 or even 1.5 m in length, which is quite comparable with the growth of a small person. And that's not all that this one can boast of. amazing beast. But let's talk about everything in order.
Beast from the tropics
The capybara is a rodent that lives only in the Central and South America. It's theirs historical homeland. Only at the end of the 20th century, animals began to be actively exported outside these lands in order to form new colonies. For the most part, this was needed by farmers who saw financial benefits in breeding giant rodents.
In nature, the capybara lives near rivers and lakes, since it cannot survive without water. She tries to avoid open space, so she prefers to settle under the cover of the rainforest. However, the rodent does not stay in one place for a long time - it constantly migrates along the beloved reservoir.
Appearance
Capybara is an animal that has impressive dimensions for a rodent. So, adults grow on average up to 1.2 m in length. At the same time, their weight ranges from 40-60 kilograms. It is curious that females are larger than males and can easily surpass them in brute strength.
At first glance, the capybara is somewhat reminiscent of guinea pig, only painfully beefy. Small plump legs look rather awkward against the background of a massive body. The head of the beast is oval, with a blunt muzzle at the end. The eyes are set wide apart, which allows the capybara to see the area well.
The coat is hard, depending on the season it can change its length. So, on hot days, the rodent sheds, and with the onset of the rainy season, it again acquires a fur coat. As for color, most capybaras are brown or dark gray in color. However, sometimes there are individuals whose coat shimmers with a copper or even red tint.
What does a capybara eat?
The capybara is a herbivore. The basis of her diet is young grass, berries, roots and aquatic plants. By the way, the latter are the greatest delicacy for capybaras. In particular, this is why capybaras like to settle near water so much. After all, it is there that they can enjoy plenty of fresh food.
It also happens that a herd of capybaras can ruin a farmer's garden. But they do this not out of malice, but because a person is getting closer and closer to their lands. It's just that most people don't understand this. Seeing the mess in their field, they always go to take revenge on the unfortunate pests. And then the poor rodents run the risk of being left without a good half of their brood.
Unquenchable love for water
As mentioned earlier, the capybara is an animal that loves water. Therefore, it is not surprising that he spends most of his time near the reservoir. Here he rests, gets food, frolic and even hides from enemies. Fortunately, evolution took care of them, and capybaras feel very comfortable in such an environment.
So, at the end of their paws there are special membranes. They allow capybaras to develop greater speed under water. Their lungs will contain a large supply of oxygen, thanks to which capybaras can survive at depth for several minutes. And high-set eyes allow animals to observe from under the water, without betraying the enemies of their location.
Habits and hierarchy within the pack
The capybara is a herd animal. Often these rodents are united in small groups of 10-15 individuals. But it also happens that animals establish much larger colonies. This happens during periods of drought when most shallow water sources dry up. Then the capybaras have to crowd near those reservoirs that are at least somehow able to feed them.
This association often leads to conflict situations. After all, male capybaras jealously guard their family. Therefore, inside large colonies there are conditional boundaries that divide packs into separate social cells. And so that everyone knows their place, controlled territory indicated by secretions from the odorous glands.
Each group is headed by a male leader. His orders and decisions are "non-negotiable", especially from other males. He has the right to freely choose females for mating, which guarantees him the continuation of the genus. The rest have to, otherwise they can be completely expelled from the herd.
mating season
Capybaras do not have a specific cycle in which they mate. It all depends on how long ago the females brought offspring. Therefore, as soon as the body of the ladies is ready for a new conception, the rodents begin mating season. What is true, extreme heat or the absence of a constant source of food can delay this process for a longer period.
"The right of the first night" always remains with the leader of the pack. However, he can mate with all the females in his group. But since there are often a lot of them, other gentlemen also get an unoccupied partner. It is curious that the process of fusion in capybaras occurs only in water. Therefore, if there is no decent reservoir nearby, then the males will not have “intimacy”.
natural enemies
The main enemy of capybaras are jaguars and wild dogs. They constantly pursue poor rodents, as they are easy prey. Also, small capybaras should be wary of urubu and anaconda vultures that live in the hot tropics. And, of course, alligators pose a great threat to these animals.
domestic capybara
The meat of these animals has long been considered a delicacy among the natives. And at the end of the last century, local farmers also tried to breed rodents. And many of them liked the capybara. At home, the beast grew to an unprecedented size, which promised a good profit from the sale of meat.
In addition, breeding capybaras is several times cheaper than caring for cows or goats. First, rodents eat much less grass which is beneficial for farmers. And secondly, instead of pastures, abandoned swamps or backwaters can be used. That is, breeding capybaras has many advantages that completely cover all the disadvantages.
If you see this touching animal for the first time, be sure to read about it to get to know each other better. A capybara is a copy of a guinea pig that has been enlarged many times over, but, unlike the latter, this animal loves to splash and dive in ponds.
Description of the appearance of capybaras
Not without reason, the second name of the animal is capybara. This herbivore is the largest rodent. An adult acquires the size of a large dog, its body reaches a length of 100 × 135 cm. The height at the withers is up to 60 cm. The weight of an adult female ranges from 28 to 67 kg, and that of a male, from 30 to 63 kg. The largest rodent was recorded 70 kg.
Animals are squat, have a large physique. Outwardly, they look like a giant guinea pig. The head is massive, the eyes and ears are small. The legs are short, the hind legs are longer than the front. On the front there are 4, and on the back - 3 fingers with swimming membranes.
The coat of a capybara resembles that of a beaver - it is just as tough. Brown hair length from 3 to 12 cm (they have only this color). The tail of the animal is short.
Gerald Durrell (English writer, founder of the Jersey Zoo and Conservation Trust wildlife), describing this animal, said that it was a good-natured, phlegmatic vegetarian with a calm and friendly disposition.
Habitat of capybaras
Capybaras live in temperate and tropical forests South and Central America, from Uruguay to Panama, in the northeast of Argentina. For a normal existence, they need to have water bodies nearby, so capybaras settle along the banks of rivers and ponds. They cannot live far from water; during the dry period, they settle in whole colonies on the banks. big rivers and other water bodies. In search of food and water, capybaras are able to travel a considerable distance.
These animals are excellent swimmers, their eyes and nostrils are located in such a way that when they are in the water, it does not fall into them. If a capybara notices a dangerous enemy, it will almost completely disappear into the water, only its nostrils through which it breathes will be visible. This feature and long tooth incisors allow these capybaras to escape from some predators. The enemies of these animals are wild dogs, alligators, crocodiles, caimans, anacondas, jaguars, ocelots. For young guinea pigs, large birds of prey, such as the urubu vulture, are dangerous.
The social structure of capybaras
Capybaras live big families in which there are from 10 to 20 individuals. The dominant male is at the head of the group. Several large adult females also occupy a dominant position. The group also includes subordinate males, cubs. Some capybaras are forced to live as hermits, the number of these individuals does not exceed 10%. This is mainly due to the fact that the dominant male expels male competitors from the family, so they are forced to live alone.
If the habitat of capybaras is arid, then capybaras stray into herds, the number of which reaches several hundred individuals. Such a herd covers an area of up to 10 hectares. Capybaras communicate in an interesting way, you can hear how they whistle, make barking, clicking sounds.
Capybaras breed mainly in April - May, but they can mate all year round. Pregnancy of the female lasts an average of 150 days, as a result of which she gives birth to 2 to 8 cubs. Although they weigh only 1.5 kilograms, they are already quite independent, as they are born with teeth, open eyes and wool. The mother feeds the babies with her milk for 3-4 months. Basically, the female brings one litter per year, but can become pregnant 2-3 times a year. After 15–18 months, when small capybaras gain weight of 30–40 kg, they become adults and are capable of reproduction.
You can see these animals with your own eyes in some zoos. If you liked this animal so much that you wanted to buy a capybara, evaluate your options.
How much does an animal cost? The price of a capybara in Moscow is about 90-120 thousand rubles (1200-1800 dollars), throughout Russia the price can jump up to 150 thousand rubles. ($2200). As a rule, it is difficult to buy a capybara from your hands, you need to place an order in specialized pet stores.
The animal is very friendly, affectionate, has a wonderful character, but it is demanding on the conditions of detention. Capybaras need space, so they need to be bred, providing a sufficient area where grass grows, there is a non-thorny bush. Under it, the capybara will be able to hide from the sun, as well as gnaw on twigs. She needs this, as she needs to grind down her constantly growing teeth.
If there is no bush, then tree branches must be periodically placed in the corral. An essential condition for keeping capybaras is a pool. It should be spacious so that the capybara can swim when she wants to dive, without limiting herself in movement. In the cold season, the capybara is kept in a warm, spacious indoor area with a heated pool and plenty of light.
In food, the capybara is unpretentious, eats mainly grass, grain, zucchini, melon, aquatic plants. If you decide to keep the animal at home, feed it with rodent pellets, which contain the necessary minerals and vitamins, fruits and vegetables, and hay in the cold season. Give them vitamin C occasionally.
If you do not plan to breed capybaras, when is it better to castrate the male, since, having entered the time of puberty, he may perceive the owners as an object of courtship. Capybaras live up to 12 years in captivity.
Capybaras are quite smart animals, they can be taught simple tricks. They like to put their head on the owner's lap to be scratched and stroked. They love capybaras when they are stroked on the stomach, from such caress they often fall asleep.
Video about capybaras - how to keep them at home and what to feed:
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Large, about seventy kilograms of weight, capybaras live not only in nature, but also in private houses and even in ordinary apartments, and walk them on a very ordinary leash. These rodents are extremely clean, unusually gentle and sociable - and they love to put their muzzles on their owners' knees so that they can stroke it and pat it behind the ear.
The most famous capybara in the world is Caplin Rose (his name is an abbreviation meaning Rodent Of Unusual Size - Incredible Size Rodent), who lives in Texas. The animal got into the Tipaldos family at an extremely tender age - when it was found, it was only about 11 days old, it slept on a pillow near the owner's daughter - Melanie, and woke her up with a gentle grunt.
When the capybara was small, this was not a particular problem, but when it grew up, it began to fit right on the head of its mistress, which began to create some problems.
Most of all (except for the owners, of course) Caplin loves to swim - at the same time, he just won’t get into the bath, first he will make sure that the water temperature suits him. If it considers it suitable, it will climb into the water, lie on its side and begin to clean its claws, doing a kind of manicure. The animal also loves to eat - from all food, it especially highlights fruits and ice cream. After bathing and having dinner, Kathleen goes to rest on her favorite sofa.
Description of the animal
Capybara ("Master of Grass") is considered the only representative of the capybara family. This animal is semi-aquatic, herbivorous and is the most major representative group of rodents. In ancient times, as paleontological finds have shown, grizzly-sized capybaras lived on our planet.
In order not to disappear from the face of the earth, as did the larger relatives, the capybara, in the struggle for a place under the Sun and for plant food, had to acquire some similarity with larger herbivores, both in appearance and in habits. For example, despite the fact that their legs are not as long and fast as those of the same antelopes, they also do not resemble the small legs of rodents.
And even though they move on land with a shuffling gait, if necessary, they can run fast, suddenly jump and live in the open, absolutely not bothering to dig holes.
Outwardly, this rodent is very similar to a guinea pig, only with a very large head. The coat is hard, from 30 to 120 mm long, red-brown or grayish in color (and only on the stomach it is lighter and acquires a yellowish-brown tint). The rodent has a heavy, well-knit, barrel-shaped physique, while the fibula and tibia are partially fused, and the clavicle is absent. The tail is small and almost invisible.
But most noteworthy are the sizes of the capybara, which are atypical for the order of rodents, since they are at least twice the parameters of the porcupine and beaver:
- The length of the rodent is a little more than one meter;
- The height at the withers is about one and a half meters;
- The weight of males is about sixty-three kilograms;
- Females are slightly larger, their weight exceeds 65 kg.
The capybara has a large head with a short, almost square muzzle and wide zygomatic arches. The ears are small, rounded, the nostrils are widely spaced. Since the eyes, ears and nostrils of the animal are high, they make it possible for him to feel extremely comfortable in the water. Males that have reached puberty have a patch of skin on the muzzle with a huge number of odorous glands. The capybara has twenty teeth, while the buccal roots are absent and grow until the death of the rodent.
The front legs of this rodent are somewhat shorter than the hind legs, which gives the impression that he always wants to sit down. Capybaras have four toes on their forelimbs and three on their hind limbs. All fingers have short strong and blunt claws, somewhat reminiscent of small hooves. Between the fingers there are membranes that allow the capybara to feel good, both on land and in water.
Habitat
The capybara lives only in South America, and only in regions with humid climate. Among the reasons that limit the distribution of this animal to the rest of the territory is both the temperature of the water (in this case, these animals are quite fastidious) and the air. They do not live permanently in any particular place - during the rainy season they disperse over a wide area, and gather in herds near large bodies of water when the drought begins.
Regardless of the season, the capybara lives near rivers, lakes and even swamps. Sometimes they can be seen in the mountains at an altitude of about one kilometer. Since the life of this animal is extremely closely connected with water, it rarely moves more than one kilometer from the water.
Reservoirs save capybaras from cougars, jaguars and other predators. Of course, dangers also await them in the rivers (for example, an alligator), but here they are not as helpless and phlegmatic as on earth. The capybara swims extremely fast, and can dive deep and for a long time.
In water, it is able to behave very quietly and imperceptibly - nostrils and eyes are barely visible above the surface, while hiding behind algae, snags or other floating objects. It is in the water that the capybara likes to stay during the heat, putting out only its head, or goes to sleep in the thickets near the reservoir.
This connection of the animal with water three centuries ago led to a ridiculous situation when the Catholic Church suddenly decided to consider rodents as fish, as a result of which their meat was allowed to be consumed during the fasting period.
Food
Capybara living in natural conditions and not familiar with the benefits of civilization, prefers to eat plants growing in water - they contain an extremely small amount of mechanical tissues, and therefore are easier to digest by rodents. Although the capybara does not disdain cereals, wild cereals, gourds, sugar cane, it also eats tree bark. These animals often eat their own droppings so that low-nutrient food is easier to digest.
Lifestyle
Despite the fact that capybaras are active mainly in the morning and evening (when it is not so hot), if they are constantly disturbed by people or predators, capybaras will switch to night mode without any problems.
By their nature, capybaras are extremely phlegmatic, one might even say lazy. When zoologists tried at one time to find the lair of these animals, to find it for a long time they couldn't. And all because they simply do not have any dwelling - the capybara sleeps on the ground. The maximum that she agrees to is to loosen the soil under her and make a shallow hole.
Capybaras live in flocks - from ten to twenty individuals, although during the heat, more than a hundred rodents can often gather near one reservoir. In this case, conflicts between permanent residents and newcomers are not uncommon.
But even in this case, each herd is responsible for its own territory, the boundaries of which the capybaras mark with special odorous glands located on their heads. total area the land that the flock marks is about 10 hectares, however, animals spend almost all their time on a plot not exceeding one hectare.
And capybaras need to communicate with each other, because among the males in the herd there is an extremely strict hierarchy. In general, the psychological atmosphere among rodents is quite good and weaker individuals unconditionally listen to the leader, who constantly proves to the rest who is “the strongest here”, which often leads to conflicts and fights.
His competitors tolerate such behavior of the leader, because they cannot find a couple outside the herd. About ten percent of capybaras do not stand up (or are expelled by the leader), leave the herd and live alone.
reproduction
Capybara reach sexual maturity at the age of 15 to 18 months. Despite the fact that the female gives birth mainly once a year, under certain conditions she is quite capable of giving birth again during the year. Capybaras are capable of breeding regardless of the season, but they become especially active during the rainy season. They mate in the water.
The male leader tries to get along with all the females (however, he does not always succeed, especially if the herd is too large). At the same time, the female does not refuse anyone.
Pregnancy in a capybara lasts about 150 days, she gives birth to the earth, she does not make any den for this, she does not look for shelter. Usually has from two to eight babies, the weight of each cub is about one and a half kilograms. Small capybaras are born, covered with hair, with open eyes, small teeth, and at the same time are able to follow their mother almost immediately and even eat grass.
The baby feeds on milk three months, while not only the mother feeds him, but also other females who gave birth to babies at that time, since capybaras do not divide newborns into their own and others. Little capybaras are raised, guarded and protected from danger by all the females of the herd.
Enemies
Capybaras have many enemies. Birds of prey vulture urubu prey on babies, wild dogs, crocodiles, jaguars, snakes, and, of course, people attack adults.
Capybaras successfully hide from land enemies under water, from waterfowl they quickly flee, fortunately, in the water element they become quite mobile. But the relationship with a man in capybaras was not easy.
Relationship with a person
Man has always hunted the largest rodents in the world - at first only because of the rather tasty, somewhat reminiscent of pork, meat. Then, when South America began to actively develop Agriculture, farmers began to exterminate them, accusing them of destroying crops.
And only at the end of the 20th century, farmers were convinced that there was no particular damage from capybaras, since they live mainly in swamps and in shallow water. When they graze near domestic animals (since this usually happens near bodies of water), they still prefer to feed on aquatic plants.
When capybaras were justified, it turned out that their number in some regions had decreased so much that hunting for these rodents had to be banned. The increase in their population was influenced by a paradoxical fact - the demand for "non-traditional" varieties of meat, therefore, capybara meat also turned out to be popular.
In the eighties of the last century, the first farms exclusively engaged in the breeding of these rodents appeared.
It became an unexpectedly profitable business. First, useless swamps have turned into productive pastures. Secondly, the herds multiply extremely quickly, since the capybara is able not only to give birth often, but also to give a large offspring, which grows extremely quickly.
It turned out that only a pig has such fertility and growth rate, but it is much harder to care for it. As for the capybara, it lives in the "pastures", unaware that it has been domesticated, almost never sees people and takes care of itself. Shepherds get the opportunity to count them and separate the required number of animals from the herd only during a drought, when rodents gather near their permanent reservoirs.
Today, capybara farms are extremely profitable, as one hectare of meat produces four times more than cattle grazing.
Some keep them as a pet - capybaras, due to their complaisant nature, are extremely trusting, very easily tamed, and exist peacefully next to other pets. They lend themselves well to training, and the most capable even perform in the circus.
About capybaras.
The capybara is the largest rodent living on planet earth. Another name for this animal is the capybara, because the capybara spends a significant part of its existence in the water.
The name of the animal can be translated from the language of the Indians of the Guarani tribe, as the lord or master of herbs.
The length of the largest rodent can reach 1.5 meters, the height is 50-60 centimeters, and the weight of large individuals can reach 65 kilograms. The females of this animal are much larger than the males.
In the distant past, capybaras were much larger than they are now. Then their size was comparable to a large grizzly bear. This fact has been established through excavations and the study of fossils.
The hind feet of the capybara have three fingers, but the front feet have four fingers here and there, with membranes, as befits waterfowl.
The capybara lives mainly in South America, near water bodies with fresh water where it is quite warm. Animals live up to 12 years.
The rodent swims and dives perfectly, it can spend quite a long time under water. The capybara's head is a bit like that of a hippopotamus. The eyes, ears and nostrils are located on the top of the head, which allows them to swim freely and avoid getting water into their ears, eyes and nose.
Capybaras live in small groups of about 20 individuals. All females care for all cubs. The group has one main male and several main females.
Capybaras are quite vulnerable. They have enemies both on land (jaguar, wild dogs, vultures) and in water (anacondas, caimans). They are very easy to scare. In case of fright, the capybara immediately rushes into the water and hides or in the thickets.
300 years ago, capybaras were considered fish because they were often seen in the water. Therefore, the meat of these animals could be consumed in fasting.
Capybaras lead a measured lifestyle. They sleep all night and several hours during the day. The rest of the time is spent feeding. Despite the fact that capybaras spend a lot of time in the water, they are herbivores and do not fish. But in zoos, they calmly consume fish.
Animals are not very clean, to the point that they eat their own excrement.
The tail of the animal is very poorly expressed, it is considered rudimentary and practically does not perform any functions.
Rodents can breed all year round. Bearing cubs lasts, on average, five months. The female can give birth to 4 to 8 cubs. Newborn capybaras weigh about 1.5 kilograms, and immediately after birth they can stand on their feet and even walk.
The capybara can make a wide range of sounds: whistling, rumbling, clicking, and even a sound that looks like a dog barking. In male capybaras, the pineal olfactory gland is located on the muzzle. Females don't have one.
Six animals are solid: brown, gray or yellowish. Sometimes there may be small spots on the muzzle or rump.
In many areas of South America, the capybara is kept as a pet. She has a calm personality and quickly gets used to people. There are even farms where capybaras are bred. Their meat is eaten.
This animal is the only one in its family.
Etymology
The name of the animal originates from the word ka"apiaara, which in the dead Tupi language (a relative language of the Guarani Indians) literally means "eater of fine grass" ( kaa(grass) + pii(thin) + ú (have) + ara(suffix similar to the Russian suffix -spruce)) . In the closest form to the original capivara it entered the Portuguese language and is widely used in Brazil. Already in shape capibara through Spanish, the word entered English, Russian, Japanese and a number of other languages. In the Spanish-speaking countries of Latin America, other names derived from the languages of local Indians are also in use: carpincho(Argentina, Peru, etc.), chiguiiro(Venezuela, Colombia), jochi(Bolivia), ñeque(Columbia), etc.
Scientific name (both generic and specific epithets) Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris translated as "water pig" (other Greek. ὕδωρ - water + χοῖρος - pig), tracing paper from which served as the basis for both the alternative Russian name for this animal - capybara - and its names in Chinese (水豚), Hungarian ( Vizidiszno), Icelandic ( Flóðsvin) and some other languages, as well as variants used in Argentina ( chancho de agua and puerco de agua).
Appearance
The body length of an adult capybara reaches 1-1.35 m, the height at the withers is 50-60 cm. Males weigh 34-63 kg, and females 36-65.5 kg (measurements were made in Venezuelan llanos). Females are usually larger than males.
Body is heavy. Outwardly, the capybara resembles a giant large-headed guinea pig. The head is large, massive with a wide, blunt muzzle. The upper lip is thick. Ears are short and rounded. The nostrils are widely spaced. The eyes are small, set high on the head and set somewhat back. The tail is rudimentary. The limbs are rather short; front - 4-fingered (there were six fingers) [ clarify], rear - 3-fingered. The fingers are connected by small swimming membranes and are equipped with short strong claws. The body is covered with long (30-120 mm) and coarse hair; undercoat is absent. The color of the upper side of the body is from reddish-brown to grayish, the ventral side, as a rule, is yellowish-brown. Juveniles are lighter colored. Mature males have a patch of skin with numerous large sebaceous glands on the upper part of the muzzle. Females have 6 pairs of abdominal nipples.
The skull is massive, with wide and strong zygomatic arches. Teeth 20. Cheek teeth without roots, grow throughout the life of the animal. The incisors are wide, have a longitudinal groove on the outer surface. The small and large tibia are partially fused together. There is no collarbone. There are 66 chromosomes in the diploid set.
Featured in following countries: Argentina , Bolivia , Brazil , Venezuela , Guyana , Colombia , Paraguay , Peru , Uruguay , French Guiana . The distribution area includes the Orinoco, Amazon and La Plata river basins. The main factors limiting the spread are air and water temperature. Capybaras are found in the mountains up to an altitude of 1300 m above sea level.
Lifestyle and nutrition
Leads a semi-aquatic lifestyle; rarely more than 500-1000 m away from water. Its distribution is associated with seasonal fluctuations in water levels - during the rainy season, capybaras disperse throughout the territory, in the dry season they accumulate along the banks. major rivers and other permanent bodies of water and often travel considerable distances in search of water and food.
These rodents are usually active during the day, but if they are often disturbed by people and predators, they switch to a nocturnal lifestyle.
Capybara in history
population status
The capybara is not a protected species. Agricultural development of land and the creation of grazing lands often benefit capybaras, providing them with food and water during droughts. As a consequence, the number of capybaras in the pasture area may be higher than in undeveloped areas. The highest population density is estimated at 2-3.5 individuals/ha.
Since the 1980s, semi-wild capybaras have been bred on special farms (Venezuela) for meat, skin and fat for pharmaceutical use. Capybara meat taste and appearance reminiscent of pork.