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5. Capybaras: Nature's Living Chairs
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Capybaras' propensity to act as live perches for a range of other creatures is among the most entertaining and charming habits of theirs. Sitting contentedly atop a calm capybara, birds, monkeys, and even other rodents are not rare sight. Capybaras have gained the moniker "nature's chairs" or "animal ottomans," but why would they allow this behaviour? Scientists think it's a mix of their mild character and reciprocal advantages. Often feeding on insects and ticks that might be aggravating the rodent, the birds that hang on capybaras naturally reduce pests. In the natural world, this symbiotic interaction is the ideal illustration of how several species may cohabit and gain from one another. An iconic picture of the harmony that can exist in nature is the sight of a capybara peacefully lounging with a range of species seated on its back.
