The Capybara

     Capybaras are semiaquatic mammals found throughout all countries of South America except Chile.  They live in densely forested areas near bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, swamps, ponds, and marshes, as well as flooded savannah and along rivers in the tropical rainforest. They are superb swimmers and can hold their breath underwater for up to five minutes at a time. Capybara have flourished in cattle ranches.They roam in home ranges averaging 10 hectares (25 acres) in high-density populations.

     Many escapees from captivity can also be found in similar watery habitats around the world. Sightings are fairly common in Florida, although a breeding population has not yet been confirmed.[ In 2011, one specimen was spotted on the Central Coast of California. These escaped populations occur in areas where prehistoric capybaras inhabited; late Pleistocene capybaras inhabited Florida and Hydrochoerus hesperotiganites in California and Hydrochoerus gaylordi in Grenada, and feral capybaras in North America may actually fill the ecological niche of the Pleistocene species.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capybara

     Isn't it rather strange how these rodents are on the menus of so many predators such as jaguars, Caimans, Anacondas, Vultures,  and yet they lack a sense of danger to help in survival? Also the mother Capybara seems to be rather neglectful of her brood. She is shown permitting vultures to peck  and follow. Most other animal mothers are ferociously dedicated to protection of their offspring.  Well, they are not on the extinct species  link, So I guess that  they must be doing something right. I was also surprised to know that they can reach the weight of an adult human. I had imagined them to be much smaller.