capybara
(also called ‘capibara’)
a capybara
an animal – mammal; rodent – looks like a small pig, related to rats; semi-aquatic (stays in water most of the time); heavy barrel-like body, short head with a blunt muzzle (mouth and nose part) with reddish-brown hair (coat) spread thinly all over the body; grows to about 4 feet long and 2 ½ to 3 feet tall at the shoulder, and weighs up to 70 Kg.; relatively short legs with partially webbed-feet (with skin growing between toes, like that of a duck); feeds (eats) on grasses, water plants, fruit and tree bark; lives up to 4 to 8 (or even 10) years; found in and near ponds, lakes, rivers (mostly still waters) of Central and South America
young capybaras
female ~~ female
baby ~~ pup
group ~~ pack, herd
voice (call) ~~ purr; bark (when frightened); whistles, clicks, squeal and grunt (different sounds for different purposes)
‘Capybara’ in Guarani Indians’ language means ‘master of the grasses’. It is the largest of all the rodents (= rat and rat related family). It is hunted for its meat and skin; the meat looks and tastes like pork (= pig meat), and the skin is very valuable – used for making quality leather, especially gloves. Observations showed that capybaras have anti-cancer mechanism (cell structure) (blood cells that can fight “leukaemia”, a very dangerous blood cancer in humans) in their blood and body parts! BC Kumar, an English Language Teacher, taught in numerous countries including Ethiopia, Oman and India, shares his knowledge and passion for the English Language.
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capybara skin gloves
About the Author:BC Kumar
