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Well, they inhabit southern Central America and northern South America and live in savannas and rainforest's near lakes, rivers and ponds. So a major adaption is that they are semi-aquatic. This is a defence against the natural predators in their environment ( jaguars, anacondas, pumas, ocelots, harpy eagles that kind of thing). The Capybara retreats to the water to avoid these predators. So physical adaptions include webbed feet to help them swim and climb the banks of rivers and ponds. Their eyes and nostrils are on the top of their heads allowing them to see and breathe easily while swimming. They are capable of pressing their ears close to their heads which prevents water from getting in and they have a coat of very thin, coarse hair which dries very fast once they are out of the water.

They also have adapted digestive systems which enable them to consume enough nutrients from their diet of both grasses and aquatic plants. In their intestines they have a large chamber ( the cecum) which stores and churns and breaks down the food aided by bacteria and enzymes. They also can re-consume their own droppings and re-digest them, this allows them to gain a higher percentage of the nutrients available from the food.

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14y ago

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