Due to their semi-aquatic lifestyle, capybara can be found along riverbanks, in reedbeds, marshes, and estuaries. They are content to live on cattle ranches as well. However, a capybara can never be found far from a body of water. The capybara are extremely friendly. Usually consisting of 10 to 20 animals, but occasionally numbering up to 100, they live in sizable family groups. When in groups, they frequently chatter to one another. When scared or gathering their young, they may also make a dog-like barking noise. They use special scent glands on their bottoms and on the males’ noses to communicate through smell as well. They mark their territories with these scent glands, and each capybara probably has a distinct scent that it can use. Capybara are herbivores, which means they eat the leaves of grasses and other plants. If they can find any, they will occasionally eat fruits as well. However, they have a reputation for being picky eaters who will only consume a limited number of plants while ignoring others. Depending on how secure they feel, they may be active either during the day or at night. Capybara are frequently active at night in areas where humans hunt them in order to avoid being seen.