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Dwindling resources and the social behaviour of Capybaras, (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) (Mammalia)
Author(s) -
Macdonald D. W.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
journal of zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0952-8369
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1981.tb04588.x
Subject(s) - biology , habitat , predation , ecology , dry season , zoology
Capybaras, Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris , were studied in the Venezuelan llanos during the peak of a dry season. As surface water and associated resources dwindled the rodents’group sizes, activity pattern and social behaviour were studied. Capybara group sizes varied from habitat to habitat in a way which seemed explicable by the pattern of the dwindling water supply. Other behaviour described includes communal suckling of young and collaborative defence against predators.