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. The capybara lives in large groups up to 20 with one head male and 1 to several females and other males.
Capybaras communicate with barks, whistles, clicks, squeals, and grunts plus smell.
The name 'capybara' means 'master of the grasses' in the language of the Guarani Indians and water pig in some unknown language. The two capybaras at the Brandywine Zoo are a boy and a girl. The boy's name is Stanly, and he was born in Silver Spring, FL, on December 7, 1996. The girl's name is Rosie, as in Rosie O'Donnel. She was born in the Cleveland Metro Park Zoo on November 26, 1996.