Water Hog
Related Category: Vertebrate Zoology
see capybara.
More on Water Hog
Capybara - mammal of Central and much of South America.
The capybara’s scientific name, Hydrochoerus, means “water hog,' and the capy is always found near water, typically in groups of 10 to 30 animals.
Their scientific name means "water hog" and indeed their bodies are hog-like, but they are rodents, not artiodactyls. And unlike hogs, they have short and deep heads.
From Greek Hydro chaeris meaning "water hog"
Phylogeny
Ancestors of modern capybara: cavy-like rodents (cavimorphs) ...
As: The animal is also called capivara in Portuguese, and carpincho or chigüire in Spanish. The name originally derives from the Guarani word kapiÿva, meaning roughly "master of the grasses". In English, it is also sometimes called Water Hog.
It is an excellent swimmer and diver. It eats vegetation and sometimes damages crops. It is hunted for food and, its hide is made into gloves, and its bristles are used in brushes. It is also called water hog and carpincho.
the webbed skin between their toes which is particularly helpful when swimming. Interestingly enough, the common name of the Capybara is thought to mean "Master of the Grasses", whilst it's scientific name comes from the Greek word for water hog.
 See also: Capybara, Hog, Guinea Pig, Carpincho, Diver
  
|
RSS
