the upper part of the squarish head, all adaptations to
the animal’s aquatic lifestyle. Capybara vocalizations
sound strikingly like those of guinea pigs, though you
must have the luck to approach a contented one closely
to hear its charming little squeaks, twitters, and grunts,
which sound far more delicate than one might expect
from a couple hundred pounds of rodent.
Though capybaras are usually found in small family
groups, herds can grow to 50 or a 100, especially in the
Venezuelan Llanos or Brazilian Pantanal, where the
animals remain abundant. Capybara groups typically
spend most of their time in and along watercourses
feeding on water- lilies, water hyacinth, leaves, and
sedges that line Amazonian rivers, lakes, and swamps
(plate 12- 17).
The name capybara translates as “master of the
grasses,” a reference to the animal’s abundance on wet
savannas. The species’ natural enemies, as might be
expected, are caimans, Jaguars, and anacondas. In many
places humans have hunted capybaras, and populations
have been drastically reduced. In other areas, however,
such as the vast ranches on the Venezuelan Llanos
(chapter 14), capybara populations, when properly
managed, provide a sustained yield of meat and leather.A Really Big Otter
The largest member of the weasel family (Mustelidae)
is the Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis; plate 12-
18), found throughout Amazonia but uncommon
in many areas. The adult measures almost 1.5 m (5
ft) in length, not counting its meter- long (3.3 ft) tail.
The species is identified by its large size (a really good
field mark), fully webbed feet, and semi- flattened tail,
somewhat like an elongate beaver’s tail. Giant Otters
are social, and groups forage diurnally in the quiet
waters of the Amazonian tributaries, especially around
oxbow lakes (plate 12- 19). Carnivorous, they feed on
fish, mammals, birds, and other vertebrate prey, some
sizable (plate 12- 20).
Giant Otters are common and seen well where they
are protected, as in some areas of the Brazilian Pantanal.
Unfortunately, in other areas they are much reduced
by hunting (taken for their skins and because they are
perceived as competitors with humans for fish) and
are listed as endangered by CITES (Convention for
International Trade in Endangered Species; https://
cites.org/eng) and IUCN (International Union for
Conservation of Nature; http://www.iucnredlist.org).Plate 12- 15. Capybaras have an air of quiet dignity about
them, at least for large rodents. Photo by John Kricher.Plate 12- 17. Food, namely plants, is abundant for capybaras,
which often spend much of the day lounging in marshes and
along riverbanks. Photo by John Kricher.Plate 12- 16. Young capybaras are tended by parents, and groups
are organized in various- size herds. They are preyed upon by
caimans, anacondas, and Jaguars. Photo by John Kricher.chapter 12 cruisingcruising thethe riversrivers toto thethe seasea 215