The Capybara

This cute, pig-like creature is actually the world's biggest rodent. Capybaras are found throughout South America and are good swimmers so they live near water. They are found in the Amazon Rainforest and are hunted by jaguars, anacondas and caimans. They can also sometimes be vulnerable to swarms of piranhas. As a defense from predators, capybaras can stay completely submerged under water for up to five minutes. 

Capybaras have thin, course reddish-brown hair and webbed feet to help them swim and walk on marshy ground. These animals grow to 3 to 4 feet in length and weigh 75 to 145 pounds. Females are bigger and heavier than males. They live in groups of 10 to 30 animals and the groups are led by a single male. This male has a large scent gland on its nose which he uses to mark the group's territory. Even though they spend time in the water, they do not eat fish. Capybaras are herbivores with big appetites. They can eat up to 8 pounds of water grasses and other vegetation every day! They also like fruit and tree bark. Like other rodents, the capybara's teeth never stop growing so they are always sharp and ready to chew! 

There are two species of capybara - the greater capybara and the lesser capybara. Relatives include guinea pigs and chinchillas. 

Cool Fact: Like pigs, capybaras roll in mud to protect themselves from sunburn!

The Mexican Red-Kneed Tarantula

The Mexican Red-Kneed Tarantula is an eight-legged predator that can be found in the Pacific coastal areas of Mexico and South America. They live in underground burrows in dry, desert-like environments. Like all tarantulas, this species would gladly eat one another. Red-Kneed Tarantulas get their name from the red hair on each segment of their legs. Each spider has a slightly different, unique pattern! 

Mexican Red-Kneed Tarantulas grow to be about the size of an adult human hand (5 to 5.5 inches long), while Goliath Birdeater Tarantulas grow to be the size of a dinner plate. Females are bigger than males, and the females often kill the males after mating. Males live up to about five years, but females can live anywhere from 25 to 50 years! Females lay up to 400 eggs at a time, which hatch after two to eight weeks. 

Mexican Red-Kneed Tarantulas eat invertebrates, amphibians, rodents and small birds. Even if it's prey is bigger than itself, the tarantula can still win by using its poisonous fangs. They hunt at night and drag their prey back to the burrow. Even though they have eight eyes, their vision is not very good. They instead use the tips of their legs to help them navigate their way through the dark. These spiders also rub their legs against their bodies and shoot their hairs at their prey, and act called urticating. These hairs are very irritating, causing prey to cough and have trouble breathing and are especially dangerous if they get into the eye.

Cousins of the Mexican Red-Kneed Tarantula include crabs, ticks, mites and "land lobsters" - aka scorpions.   

Cool Fact: Some people will gladly keep Mexican Red-Kneed Tarantulas as pets!