A woman has been attacked by the world’s largest rodent while swimming in a lake.
The young victim walked backwards in the water while raising her finger to warn the capybara to keep its distance.
But the huge rodent suddenly launches itself at the swimmer.
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It jumps on her back and seemingly gnaws at her head.
The woman screams as she tries to escape from the aggressive capybara and it repeatedly bites her.
A man suddenly arrives on the bank and grabs a thick stick to use in defence.
He helps the woman out of the water as she sobs into her hand.
The scary scenes were filmed in Ciénaga in northern Colombia, as reported by Need To Know.
One local said: “Just because you’ve seen videos of them being calm and cute, it doesn’t take away from the fact that they are still wild animals.”
Another asked: “But why would she swim with it?”
Lilith commented: “Aren’t capybaras supposed to be calm and friendly?”
Mary wrote: “How terrifying. This is not funny, poor girl.”
Tia remarked: “She didn’t fight back.”
Nichi said: “Why did it take so long to help her?! The thing was biting her head and face!”
Native to South America, capybaras are the largest living rodents in the world.
They inhabit dense forests and savannas, and live near bodies of water.
Their maximum lifespan is between eight and 10 years and they typically weigh between 77 and 146 lbs.
Capybaras are considered quite docile creatures that will only bite if provoked or threatened.
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