Domesticated Capybara

Valdemar II

Banned
What if the Andean Indians domesticated the Capybara, while it live mostly in East of Andens, it seem to live some rather close to it, so interaction shouldn't be hard. Domestication is possible, it has been done later, and it seem wild Capybara is easy to tame, and quite peaceful from natures hand. Domestication also result in bigger litters, normal is 4 twice a year in good condintion. They take 2 years to mature, they live mostly of aquaplants and grass. Likely with a few centuries of domestication they can become primary grass eaters.
 
Did they catch the animals for food anyway? If so, they probably thought the life cycle was too long and they ate too much, so fishing was more productive.
 

Deleted member 5719

The problem is that there's not much water in the Andes, and what there is is very cold. Capybaras are aquatic so they wouldn't find living up there very comfortable, perhaps it would be impossible to keep a breeding population. They would also compete for resources with more useful llamas.
 
I dunno, maybe this can have greater implications than food. If the capybara is domesticated and raised for meat, the Incas would naturally try to increase its size. Adult Capybaras can already reach 4.5 feet tall. So, some centuries of breeding could result in Capybaras that reach 6 feet tall. Perhaps this could be used as a riding animal (Ya never know!).
 

Deleted member 5719

I have witnessed the birth of an AH cliche.

The Inca Capybara Cavalry.



God speed the Tiawanako lancers!
 
The Incas already had the llama, alpaca, guinea pigs, why go for a tropical animal like the capybara? I suppose if the Incas spread out of the mountains, but they wont be suitable for the Incan heartland.

Capybara seems something the Mayans should be interested in.
 
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