Category: Mammals
Capybaras are the largest rodent in the world and can weigh in excess of 100 pounds! They are native to South America and inhabit savannas and dense forests near bodies of water. They are highly social animals that can be found in groups of around a hundred individuals. They are selective herbivore and are related to guinea pigs.
The age-defying Brandt’s bat
In most mammals, larger size correlates with longer lifespan, but that is not the case with the Brandt’s bat, who can live up to 41 years and weigh less than 0.28 ounces! These bats resemble larger, longer-lived mammals in that they mature slowly and have fewer offspring – but the size difference is dramatic: a female Bonobo lives for approximately 40 years as well, but she outweighs the Brandt’s bat by a factor of 3,771! Oddly enough, it is suspected that the mutated gene that causes the bat’s dwarfish size is the same one that leads to its long lifespan. Studying animals with unusual longevity like the Brandt’s bat does more than just satisfy our curiosity, it could lead to longer, healthier lifespans for humans and other animals!
Learn more >>
Discover Animals is a web-based educational resource offered by the NAIA
