Capybaras on the loose
TROPICAL ECOLOGY
Ecology relationships
Capybaras interact with other organisms in the same ecosystem and establish several relationships such as prey and predator, commensalism, mutualism and parasitism.
Natural predators of capybaras
Despite its size and secretive aquatic nature, this enormous rodent is vulnerable to predators such as wildcats including pumas, jaguars, and ocelots. Other predators such as caimans, foxes and eagles also hunt young capybaras for food. They are also a food source for large snakes such as anaconda. Additionally, humans hunt capybaras for their hide, flesh, and grease (from thick skin) for pahrmaceutical purpose.
'Click to watch a jaguar preying on a careless capybara'
Feeling sad for the capybara, but it's how the nature works anyway :(
Friends of capybaras
Capybaras live harmoniously with a number of bird species. Their association with capybara forms either commensalism or mutualistic relationship as the feeding rate of these birds increases while the capybara is not harmed. Some of these birds include scarlet ibis, jacana, sharp tailed ibis, swifts, white ibis and buff-necked ibis. The strategies of these birds involve utilizing capybaras as a perch, walking alongside or riding on the back of capybara to capture flushed prey, and foraging in its skin (tick-eating). For instance, yellow-headed caracara birds help capybaras to remove ticks (Amblyomma spp.) by feeding on these ectoparasites. This mutualistic relationship protects capybaras from tick infestations.
Hoping to find myself a true friendship like the capybara and caracara.
Competitors of capybaras
Capybaras face competition from other grazing farm animals such as cattle, sheep, goat and horse. These farm animals were introduced in the 16th century and have only learnt to adapt to coexistence with capybaras recently. However, it is reported that the introduction of these animals, primarily cattle may have changed the feeding behavior of native grazers including capybaras in just a few centuries.
Parasites found in capybaras
Additionally, parasites such as ticks, scabies and helminths can be found in capybaras.
1. Scabies
Scabies is caused by a mite (Sarcoptes scabiei) that lives on the skin of many mammalian species. The waste products produced by the mites can cause severe dermatitis. Symptoms include localized hair loss and acute itching which can be observed through constant scratching by animals. If left untreated, secondary bacterial infections may lead to hemorrhagic and oozing lesions. It is reported that scabies is the primary pathogenic infection that affects reproductivity of capybaras.
2. Ticks
It has been documented that a number of Amblyomma species parasitize capybaras. Tick feeds on the blood of capybaras which leads to reduced blood level and may potentially cause anemia in severely infected individuals.
3. Helminths
Some common helminths that infect capybaras are nematodes, cestodes, and trematodes. The main symptoms of parasite infection in a capybara are coarse and pointed hair, weight loss, lethargy, a distended abdomen and larva in feces. Hence, feces materials are often microscopically analyzed to detect endoparasites, identify the species and quantify the load.
Not going to insert any image here because they look gross :(
Cry for capybara TT
Hi Adeline! I am in love with your blog on capybara, and I couldn't resist their cuteness hahaha. I've heard that capybara is a highly sociable animal before. Aside from birds, are there other animal species they make friends with?