The Capybara, Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris (Class Mammalia, Order
Rodentia, Family Hydrochoeridae, Genus species), the world's
largest rodent, lives in South America and Panama. It is the only
species in its genus, which belongs to the family Hydrochoeridae,
order Rodentia. The Capybara--also called carpincho and water hog -
has a massive body, a large head with a blunt snout, short legs,
and a very small tail. It may weigh as much as 50 kg (110 lb) and
have a shoulder height of 50 cm(20 in) and a body length of 130 cm
(51 in). Its hair is coarse, reddish brown above and yellowish
below. The feet of the Capybara are webbed and armed with strong
claws. They are fast runners and swim well, even under water.
Looking rather like a cross between a Guinea-pig and a
Hippopotamus, the Capybara is the largest of all the 1,729 species
of living rodents. Extinct forms of this animal were even bigger,
but the pig-sized, surviving specimens can reach an adult weight of
more than IOO lb., an overall length of 4 feet and a shoulder
height of 21 inches.
As legend holds, pirates of the Caribbean landed in the Florida
Everglades near what is today known as Marco Island. These bandits
captured dozens of Capybara in Panama and used them for religious
sacrifice to ensure safe passage. After landing, they released the
remaining Capybara into the Florida wilderness. Although the
Capybara were herbivores in their native land, they didn’t have
enough food in this new environment and eventually began to eat
small animals for survival. As time passed they became voracious
scavengers and attacked larger animals ranging from large dogs to
alligators and even cattle.
Gradually the Capybara migrated further north in search of food.
In 1947 a 240 lb. female Capybara was spotted in Melbourne, Florida
off the shores of Lake Washington near the old boat house. Since
then, there have been several reported sightings along the St.
Johns basin between Melbourne and the Lone Cabbage Fish Camp off
Hwy. 520 west of Cocoa Beach.
Although there hasn’t been a report of Capybara attacking a
human, airboaters in Lake Washington still carry shotguns to
protect themselves and their families from possible renegades.
You are searching for a small container which holds a log sheet,
pencil, some geo-trinkets and a quartz key chain for the FTF.
BEWARE: Please do not hunt for the cache after sundown OR
without someone to watch your back! If you see a Capybara, slowly
retreat to your vehicle. Under NO circumstances should you attempt
to feed these animals!