15 Fascinating Facts About Capybaras That Will Amaze Even Biologists - #11 Is Mind-Blowing!

4. The Capybara's Unique Digestive System

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Capybaras have a fascinating digestive system that sets them apart from many other animals. As herbivores, their diet primarily consists of aquatic plants and grasses. To efficiently process this fibrous diet, capybaras have developed a specialized digestive system. Like other rodents, they practice coprophagy—eating their own feces—to extract maximum nutrients from their food. This process allows them to break down cellulose, a complex carbohydrate found in plant material that many animals cannot digest. Their digestive system features a large cecum filled with beneficial bacteria that aid in breaking down and fermenting plant matter. This efficient digestion allows capybaras to thrive on a diet that would be insufficient for many other animals of their size.