Capybaras, the world’s largest rodents, are indeed present within the Amazon rainforest ecosystem. Their distribution spans much of South America, and the Amazon basin provides a suitable habitat characterized by abundant water sources and dense vegetation, essential for their survival. These semi-aquatic mammals thrive in areas near rivers, swamps, and flooded grasslands.
The presence of these animals is crucial for the overall health and balance of the Amazonian environment. As herbivores, they play a significant role in controlling vegetation growth, influencing the structure of plant communities. They are also a food source for predators such as jaguars, caimans, and anacondas, thus contributing to the complexity of the food web. Historically, these rodents have been an important resource for indigenous populations, providing both food and materials.
