The females have to be 15 months or older to be able to have babies of their own. Capybaras protect themselves in a different way than other animals do. If they hear danger coming, they will dive into the water and hide like 'cowards'. Their natural enemies include the anaconda and the jacare. Its worst enemies are the jaguar and the puma.
Capybaras sometimes hide in floating vegetation, too.
Capybaras are slightly clumsy on land, but are excellent swimmers and divers. Capybaras are mammals, and can't stay under water forever. But they can stay under water for a few minutes, and can even sleep underwater if necessary with only their nose sticking out of the water. Capybaras lay on dry land and rest, basking in the sun. But at the first signal of danger, the whole troop dashes into the water.