Mostly terrestrial in heavily vegetated swamps near water such as ponds, lakes, rivers and swamps. In the wild thier natural life span is 8 to 10 years although hunting reduces this to about 4 years. In zoos they will live approximately 12 years. Thier diet consists of primarily grasses that grow in or near the water plus water plants, melons and squash. Not endangered although protected in some areas because of over- hunting by man.
Natural predators are jaguars and caimans.