Capybaras by Laura

Capybara are the largest rodents in the world.

Description: Capybaras have heavy, barrel-shaped bodies with short heads. Their fur is reddish brown on the upper parts and yellowish brown underneath. Adult capybaras may be as long as 130 centimeters (more than four feet) and 50 centimeters (1.6 feet) tall, and weigh more than 100 pounds.

Range and Habitat: The Capybara is found in Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas and Peru, south through Brazil, Paraguay, northeast Argentina, and Uruguay. Semi-aquatic, they frequent dense vegetation surrounding lakes, rivers, swamps, marshes, and ponds.
Diet: The Capybara is a grazing herbivore, eating mainly grasses and aquatic plants.
Behavior: Capybara are highly social and live in groups controlled by a dominant male.
Conservation Status: Capybara populations are considered stable through much of their range, but hunting in some areas has reduced their numbers.
Fun Fact: Capybara dive and may remain underwater for as long as five minutes.

(http://nationalzoo.si.edu)

The Capybaras at our zoo are very friendly and work well with the zookeepers. My zookeeper, Laura, even says they sometimes try and climb up on her lap (which is a problem seeing as they're over 100 pounds.