vocalisation

The social communication system of capybaras is rich and multimodal.

Vocalization plays a central role.

The constant, soft trilling or purring that flows between group members functions as a contact call, maintaining the acoustic awareness of one another's position and emotional state.

Beyond this baseline, cappy bearers produce a range of calls, a sharp bark or alarm whistle that signals immediate danger, a teeth-chattering sound that signals mild aggression or social tension, a series of clicks and whistles that form part of mother-pup communication, and various grunts and squeals that communicate dominance, submission and social affiliation.