capibara
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A large, semiaquatic rodent native to South America. It is the largest living rodent species, characterized by a heavy, barrel-shaped body, a short head, small ears, vestigial tail, and partly webbed feet. It is a social, herbivorous mammal often found near bodies of water.
Usage
- The word "capibara" functions solely as a noun. It refers specifically to the animal species .
- It is used to identify the animal in zoological, ecological, and general descriptive contexts.
- Example: "The capibara is perfectly adapted to an amphibious lifestyle."
Examples
- Noun:
- We observed a family of capibaras resting on the riverbank.
- The capibara's diet consists mainly of grasses and aquatic plants.
- Due to its gentle nature, the capibara is sometimes kept as an exotic pet in some regions.
Advanced Usage
- The term is used in scientific and conservation discussions regarding South American wetlands and ecosystems.
- The study focused on the capibara's role as a keystone herbivore in the Pantanal region.
Variants and Related Words
- Capybara: This is the more common and standard English spelling of the word. "Capibara" is a variant.
- Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris: The scientific (Latin) name for the species.
- Rodent: The biological order (Rodentia) to which the capibara belongs.
- Semiquatic: Describing its lifestyle, living partly in water and partly on land.
Synonyms
- Water hog: A descriptive, informal name referencing its size and habitat.
- Carpincho: A common name for the animal in Spanish and Portuguese, sometimes used in English.
Notes on Meaning
- The definition emphasizes key distinguishing features: its large size (pig-sized), geographical origin (South American), habitat (amphibious), physical traits (tailless, partly webbed feet), and its taxonomic distinction (largest living rodent). There are no other common meanings for this word.
Noun
- pig-sized tailless South American amphibious rodent with partly webbed feet; largest living rodent