The fruit of the Acuri palm (Attalea phalerata) is important food for a number of Pantanal bird and mammal species, and here one adult capybara of a family of several youngsters enjoys the ripe (yellow) fruits. It appears the husk is what they prefer, as none of the nuts were cracked open. The capybara should be perfectly capable of cracking it open, but perhaps only the hyacinth macaw likes the taste?
You can see bite marks on many of the fruits still on the tree. The capybaras return every day to check on their ripening process, and are seen strolling around the houses of Pousada Xaraés as if they are pets. Their comfort zone is about 3-4 metres, closer than that and they will move away.
Last updated on 31 March 2023
