Capybara

Offering a straightforward introduction to the capybara, a large rodent native to South America, this serviceable book provides a short text and colorful reproductions of stock photographs from many sources. A typical double-page spread includes several well-spaced sentences of text and a large photo illustrating some aspect of the animal, such as its large, curved front teeth; social behavior; defenses against predators; or manner of caring for its young. The emergence of commercial capybara ranches is also discussed. After comparing the capybara with three other large rodents, the final pages offer a brief glossary and a short reading list. Other volumes available in the More SuperSized series, which is essentially similar to the publisher’s 2007 SuperSized series, feature the brown bear, emperor penguin, killer whale, red kangaroo, reticulated python, Siberian tiger, and southern elephant seal.