Capybaras, the largest rodents in the world, live in groups near water in South America, where crocodiles, including caimans, are also found. Despite the proximity of potential prey, crocodiles rarely hunt adult capybaras. The exception is young ones, which often fall victim to predators, including birds.
Capybaras are well protected: they have large sharp teeth and impressive sizes, making an attack on an adult individual risky even for a large reptile. As Dr. Elizabeth Congdon notes, the effort and danger involved in such hunting often do not justify themselves.
Moreover, capybaras tend to coexist peacefully with other animals and often share their space near water. Birds or turtles are often found sitting on their backs.
The main threat to capybaras comes from humans, who continue to hunt them in some regions despite bans. To reduce pressure on wild populations, special farms have emerged in recent years where capybaras are raised.
