Capybara
Least concern
The
capybara is the largest rodent in the world. Capybaras live in the
forest and on grasslands, around lakes, rivers, swamps, marshes and
streams. They make little beds in shallow parts of dirt. Capybaras feed
on grasses, aquatic plants, grains, melons and squashes. They live 8
years in the wild and 12 years in captivity. Their main predators are
humans, jaguars, anacondas, ocelots, pumas, eagles and caimans.
Coati
These close relatives of raccoons inhabit coastal mangrove forests,
lowland savannas, deserts and interior dense tropical forest areas.
Coatis feed by using their long noses, poking them under rocks and into
crevices. Their diet consists of fruits, nuts, leaves, as well as
insects, egs, fish and even small animals. In turn, coatis are an
important food source for large predators. In the wild, they live 8
years; whereas in captivity their life span extends up to 18 years.
Cougar
Near threatened
Cougars (also known as Puma or Mountain Lions) live where there is
abundant prey, from sea level to 10,000 feet (3,050 m) elevations. They
can jump from the ground to a height of 18 feet (5.5 m). Their favorite
prey is deer, elk, moose, peccary and bighorn sheep. They cover their
kill with leaves and visit for additional meals later. Their main
predators are humans and other mountain lions. The life span is
approximately 12 years in the wild and over 20 years in captivity.
