Rainforest Riverbank Neighbors

A Rainforest River Watch

Along a South American rainforest river, capybaras eat grass near the water. Giant otters swim and catch fish nearby. Both kinds of animals may live in groups. This practice field log describes behaviors these animals are known to show. Its sightings and counts are made up for this worksheet. The observers watch from far away. They do not move, feed, or handle the animals.

In one sighting, several capybaras graze with their heads down. Another capybara raises its head and looks around. When a jaguar appears near the bank, that capybara gives a sharp alarm bark. Nearby capybaras lift their heads and hurry into the water. In a different sighting, a lone capybara keeps grazing until it notices the approaching jaguar itself. Then it moves toward the river.

Farther along the river, a giant otter family has young pups near its den. One adult stays close to the pups while other adults look for fish. Later, a returning adult gives a fish to a pup that is not yet able to catch its own food. Another adult takes a turn staying near the pups. When an animal approaches the den, the nearby adult moves between it and the young otters. The observers record what the animals do, not what the animals are thinking.