Future Capybara

The capybara’s current habitat is rainforest where many adaptations help it survive. Webbed feet for swimming, their eyes, ears, and nostrils on the tops of their heads help them stay submerged in water and see predators when they are swimming. They have ever-growing teeth to graze on grass and water plants, they hold their breath underwater up to 5 minutes, and their water immersion helps regulate their body temperature. Capybaras are currently herbivores and eat the vegetation that lines water sources and other aquatic plants. In the future, capybaras will adapt to a new environment. Because of climate change, their new environment will be savanna. Their new adaptations will include longer, sharper claws to help dig underground, big ears to listen for predators, living in herds for protection, being nocturnal, and being able to go for long periods of time without water. They will eat dewy plants and wild melons.