Culture
Capybaras Cuddling Other Critters Cranks Up the Cute Factor
When it comes to heartwarming content, not much can compare with demonstrations of interspecies affection: aka, different kinds of critters putting taxonomic differences aside for a good old-fashioned cuddle-fest. As this roundup of pics by Grace Eire over at LittleThings.com demonstrates, the world’s heftiest rodent apparently has plenty of capacity for such displays.
The photos show capybaras—which look essentially like gigantic guinea pigs, which in fact are close relatives—snuggling up close to animals as diverse as bunnies, puppies, house cats, spider monkeys, and even a toothy caiman: basically the South American version of an alligator.
To put these ridiculously cute images in context—and, really, have a look at them, they’re adorable—let’s run through some basic facts about this unique mammal!
Introducing the Capybara
As we said at the outset, capybaras are the biggest members of the rodent order in the world. Most rodents, of course, are on the small side of things: mice, voles, squirrels, hamsters, and the like. (Granted, “small” isn’t exactly the first thing that comes to mind when you think about a New York City rat, but all things considered even that adaptable beast is definitely in the “small-animal” realm of things.)
Capybaras, which are restricted to South America, buck that trend: exceptionally big individuals may reach about 200 pounds. That’s right, a 200-pound rodent. (Let’s be thankful those aforementioned sewer rats don’t quite attain capybara proportions.) For comparison, the largest rodent in North America, the beaver, usually maxes out at around 60 or 70 pounds. (North American beavers and their close cousins European beavers are the second-biggest rodents in the world.)
The big, brown capybara is the titan of a South American branch of the rodent family tree known as the cavies, which also includes those familiar guinea pigs. Another member of the family is the lesser capybara, variously treated either as a subspecies of the capybara or its own standalone species; restricted to northwestern South America, the lesser capybara is, as the name suggests, a smaller creature, but still plenty big by rodent standards—roughly beaver-sized.
Capybaras inhabit a broad range in South America east of the Andes, mainly found in tropical forests and savannas.
The Capybara Lifestyle
Capybaras almost look like a cross between a guinea pig and a hippo, and like hippos they’re semiaquatic: that is, they spend part of their days in the water. With its webbed feet and ears, eyes, and nostrils set along the top of its head, the capybara is a fine swimmer, and rarely found far from marshes and riverbanks.
While many rodents are omnivorous, capybaras are devoted herbivores, feeding on both aquatic and terrestrial plants. They typically live in small to mid-sized groups of up to 20 or 30 animals, though where annual dry seasons decrease their aquatic digs larger “herds” will congregate.
Multiple males are often found in these capybara groups and sort out a pecking order among themselves, with dominant males restricting access to females in heat. Speaking of breeding (the actual act of which takes place in water), female capybaras give birth to generally two to four young.
Capybara Friends & Foes
Just how cuddly capybaras are toward other species in the wild is maybe a question worthy of specific scientific study. But suffice it to say there are certain creatures they aren’t liable to sidle up to. Big as they are, after all, capybaras are vulnerable to predation, particularly from jaguars—those great spotted cats of the Neotropics—as well as pumas and anacondas, giant snakes sharing their semiaquatic lifestyle. Most caiman species, meanwhile, only pose a threat to young capybaras—that capybara lounging alongside the caiman in the LittleThings.com picture doesn’t look concerned, now does it?—but the biggest, the black caiman, which may reach 16 feet in length, can and does snatch adults.
In a significant conservation effort, nearly 8,000 acres of Alabama’s most sensitive and ecologically important land have been preserved forever. The project, made possible through a multi-million dollar collaboration involving The Nature Conservancy in Alabama, Patagonia, and an undisclosed donor, aims to protect the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, often referred to as America’s Amazon.
The Mobile-Tensaw Delta is a vast and diverse ecosystem, known for its rich biodiversity and abundant wildlife. It is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, including numerous species of fish, birds, and mammals. The delta serves as an important habitat for many threatened and endangered species, making its conservation crucial for maintaining biodiversity.
Mitch Reid, state director for The Nature Conservancy in Alabama, described the land purchase as one of the most important conservation victories, emphasizing its critical importance to the health of the Mobile Delta, Mobile Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico. The protected area will help maintain water quality, provide habitat for wildlife, and preserve the natural beauty of the region.
The project is part of a long-term strategy to protect America’s Amazon, with Alabama being recognized as a landscape that is as critical to protect as other priority areas around the globe. The collaboration between The Nature Conservancy, Patagonia, and the undisclosed donor highlights the importance of partnerships in conservation efforts.
“This project is the first step in a long-term strategy with our partners in Alabama to protect America’s Amazon,” said Curtis, representing the Holdfast Collective. The land purchase represents a significant milestone in the conservation of this unique and valuable ecosystem, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy its beauty and biodiversity.
In the heart of Chile’s Santiago Sur Prison, the oldest and most overcrowded correctional facility in the country, an unexpected and heartwarming story unfolds. Hundreds of stray cats have found an unlikely home within the prison walls, creating a unique bond with the inmates that goes beyond the typical prison experience.
Originally brought in to address the rat problem within the prison, the feline residents soon proved to be more than just pest controllers. The cats became companions to the inmates, transforming the prison environment and having a positive impact on mood, depression, and overall attitude among the incarcerated individuals.
Carlos Nuñez, a balding prisoner serving a 14-year sentence for home burglary, proudly introduced his 2-year-old tabby named Feita, or Ugly, from behind the prison bars. As he cared for multiple cats during his sentence, Nuñez discovered the special essence of feline companionship.
“A cat makes you worry about it, feed it, take care of it, give it special attention,” explained Nuñez. “When we were outside and free, we never did this. We discovered it in here.”
The presence of the feline residents has had a profound impact on the inmates, fostering a sense of responsibility and contributing to a positive change in behavior. The prison’s warden, Col. Helen Leal González, who herself has two cats at home, Reina and Dante, acknowledges the transformative effect the cats have had within the prison walls.
“Prisons are hostile places,” said Col. González in her office, adorned with cat figurines. “So of course, when you see there’s an animal giving affection and generating these positive feelings, it logically causes a change in behavior, a change in mindset.”
The unique relationship between the inmates and their feline companions goes beyond the usual dynamics of prison life. The cats, with their affectionate presence, have become sources of solace, comfort, and connection in an environment where such sentiments are often hard to come by.
In the vast landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, a remarkable conservation project is making strides to protect and restore the population of wildcats. Nineteen wildcats were released into the wild this summer at Cairngorms National Park, marking the first-ever release of wildcats in the UK. Monitored closely with GPS-radio collars, these endangered felines are not only adapting well to their new environment but are also actively contributing to the delicate balance of the ecosystem.
Helen Senn, the head of science and conservation programs at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), expressed optimism about the project, stating that the release of wildcats has been “a success so far.” The cats, fitted with GPS collars, are carefully tracked by a dedicated field team. This tracking technology provides valuable insights into their movements, behaviors, and overall well-being.
In their natural habitat within Cairngorms National Park, the wildcats are engaging in essential activities for their survival. These activities include hunting for mice and voles in the grasslands and woodlands, showcasing their crucial role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.
However, as with any wild endeavor, challenges are inevitable. Senn explained that while most of the wildcats are currently faring well, it would be unusual for all to survive the first year in the wild. The unpredictability of life in the wilderness comes to light as the field team, using GPS collar data, discovered a potential issue.
The team responded promptly to the signals and found that one wildcat had succumbed to peritonitis, an infection. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks these animals face in their natural environment.
Senn emphasized that the conservation effort is a long-term commitment. “Further releases and many more years of conservation action will be required to increase the likelihood of saving this iconic species in Scotland,” she explained. The release of wildcats into the Scottish Highlands is not just a one-time event but part of an ongoing strategy to secure the future of these iconic creatures.
As the project unfolds, the lessons learned from the tracking data, both the successes and challenges, will contribute to refining conservation strategies. The Scottish Highlands, with its vast and untamed beauty, is becoming a battleground for the protection of the wildcat, showcasing the dedication of conservationists and the resilience of these remarkable felines in the face of adversity.
In a happy turn of events, a massive rewilding project has come to the rescue of 2,000 African rhinos, ensuring their safety and well-being. These rhinos, once owned by wealthy property developer turned wildlife rancher John Hume, faced an uncertain future when they were put up for auction in April, with no bids forthcoming. Thankfully, the non-governmental organization (NGO) African Parks stepped in to secure their fate, marking a significant milestone in conservation efforts.
John Hume’s herd of rhinos was the world’s largest privately owned population of white rhinos. It was feared that these magnificent creatures were at serious risk of poaching and fragmentation, prompting concerns among conservationists worldwide. But African Parks, headquartered in Johannesburg, emerged as the guardian angel for these rhinos.
African Parks is a renowned conservation organization known for its credible and responsible approach to wildlife conservation. Dr. Mike Knight, chairman of the IUCN specialist group, expressed optimism about the organization’s ability to successfully rewild these rhinos. He emphasized the importance of finding conservation areas that are not only large enough but also secure from the threat of poaching.
The primary objective of African Parks was crystal clear: to rewild all 2,000 southern white rhinos over the next decade in well-managed and secure areas. This ambitious endeavor is designed to establish or supplement strategic rhino populations, ultimately reducing the risk to the species as a whole.
African Parks has set a new precedent with this initiative, as it represents one of the largest rewilding efforts ever undertaken for any species on the African continent. Hume’s captive-bred rhinos, which make up nearly 15% of the world’s remaining wild rhino population, hold immense value in the preservation of these magnificent creatures.
The dire situation arose when financial stress forced Hume to put his Platinum Rhino operation up for auction in April 2023. The absence of any bids raised concerns about the future of these rhinos, prompting African Parks to step in. With the support of the South African government and emergency funding, African Parks successfully acquired the farm and its 2,000 rhino residents.
While African Parks never intended to own such a vast captive rhino breeding operation, they recognized the moral imperative of finding a solution for these animals. By doing so, these rhinos can once again assume their crucial roles within fully functioning ecosystems, ensuring the preservation of this Near Threatened species.
In the end, this rewilding project serves as a beacon of hope for the future of African rhinos. With African Parks at the helm, these majestic creatures will have a chance to roam freely in secure habitats, contributing to the continued survival of their species. It’s a story of conservation success and a testament to the power of collective efforts to protect our planet’s most vulnerable inhabitants.
As the 2023 Women’s World Cup captivates audiences with thrilling matches and incredible talent, it is not just a sporting event; it also serves as a source of empowerment and hope for girls all around the globe. Beyond the excitement on the field, the impact of this monumental tournament is felt off the field, where it inspires and uplifts girls, proving that they too can be strong and resilient athletes.
One organization that has documented this empowering phenomenon is CARE, a non-profit dedicated to fighting poverty and injustice. CARE has captured the inspiring moments of girls from diverse backgrounds playing the beautiful sport of soccer. Witnessing these young athletes immersed in the game brings joy, resilience, and strength to girls everywhere.
The Women’s World Cup offers a powerful platform for showcasing the incredible skills and abilities of female athletes. By witnessing the passion and dedication displayed by the players, young girls are encouraged to dream big and pursue their goals fearlessly. The tournament challenges gender stereotypes and proves that girls can excel in sports, just like their male counterparts.
Through the spectacle of the Women’s World Cup, girls find role models to look up to. They see themselves reflected in the athletes on the screen, realizing that they too can achieve greatness with hard work and determination. This representation is crucial in breaking down barriers and opening doors for girls to pursue their passion for sports.
Furthermore, the Women’s World Cup promotes gender equality and female empowerment on a global scale. It sends a powerful message that women’s sports deserve equal recognition, support, and investment. As more attention is directed towards female athletes and their achievements, it paves the way for increased opportunities and resources for girls interested in sports.
Participating in sports has proven to have numerous benefits for girls, extending beyond physical fitness. It fosters teamwork, leadership skills, and self-confidence. By witnessing the women’s teams competing at the highest level, girls are encouraged to embrace their own athletic abilities and feel empowered to take on challenges both on and off the field.
Moreover, the World Cup serves as a rallying point for communities and countries to unite in support of their national teams. This sense of unity and pride extends to girls as they feel a part of something larger and find encouragement in their collective identity.
In conclusion, the Women’s World Cup is more than just a sporting event; it is a symbol of empowerment and hope for girls worldwide. Seeing female athletes excel at the highest level showcases the limitless potential of girls in all fields of life. The tournament breaks down gender barriers, fosters resilience and strength, and inspires girls to embrace their passions and pursue their dreams with confidence. As the Women’s World Cup continues to shine a spotlight on female athletes, it ignites a powerful movement that empowers and uplifts girls everywhere, proving that they too can achieve greatness on and off the field.