【明報專訊】Also called "water pigs", capybaras are actually the world's largest species of rodent (齧齒動物), belonging to the same family as mice, rats, squirrels, porcupines, guinea pigs (天竺鼠) and hamsters (倉鼠). They can weigh up to 79 kg! Their life is heavily dependent on water. Found in Central and South America, they inhabit riverbanks, beside ponds and marshes. They eat water plants, stay in water to cool down at midday and to stay away from predators. (photo.1)

Chew like a camel

Capybaras are efficient grazers (草食性動物). Like some other rodents such as mice and squirrels, capybaras have long and ever-growing front teeth. They use their long and sharp teeth to graze on grass and water plants. Instead of chewing up and down like human do, capybaras chew their food from side to side to grind the tough and fibrous plant materials. To help digestion (消化) even more efficient, capybaras regurgitate (反芻) their food to chew for a second time.

Enjoying a social life

Capybaras live in groups of around 10 to 30 individuals. Each group is comprised of a dominant (支配的) male with a number of females and their young. One benefit of living in groups is that they can have more 'helpers' to watch out for the youngsters. In the group, the capybaras chatter and squeak when they 'talk' to their family members or friends.

Think twice before adopting a pet

Due to their lovable appearance, people started to consider adopting capybaras as pets. Keeping capybaras as pets may be legal in some countries, however, like adopting other pets, thorough considerations have to be taken before making a decision. Capybaras need tremendous space and a pool with depth to actually swim and exercise. They live in groups so keeping just one is not ideal. Also, proper veterinary facilities with experience of handling capybaras should be available for emergency care.

Save water, save lives

Widespread in their range, capybara's population is quite stable. However, as a species whose life depends much on the availability of freshwater, clean water is essential for their survival. We have to realise that the water resource is actually shared on a global scale. One of the ways to conserve water is to simply shorten our showering time to five minutes. Let's try today! (photo.2)

Text & photos: Ocean Park Hong Kong

■Glossary

dependent (adj) 依賴的

grind (v) 磨碎

thorough (adj) 徹底的、全面的

scale (n) 規模

[Smarties' Power English 第211期]