Capybara
Largest living rodent, semiaquatic and highly social.
The capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), or greater capybara, is the largest living rodent. This semiaquatic herbivore is native to every South American country except Chile, where it inhabits savannas, dense forests, and areas near freshwater bodies such as rivers, lakes, ponds, swamps, and reservoirs. It is a highly social species, typically living in groups of 10 to 20 individuals, though groups as large as 100 have been observed. Capybaras are hunted for their meat, hide, and the grease from their thick, fatty skin. The common name derives from the Tupi language, meaning "one who eats slender leaves" or "grass-eater," while the genus name *Hydrochoerus* comes from Greek for "water pig." Together with the lesser capybara, it forms the genus *Hydrochoerus*, and its close relatives include guinea pigs and rock cavies, with more distant relations to agoutis, chinchillas, and nutria. The capybara has a heavy, barrel-shaped body and a broad head, with reddish-brown fur on its upper body that turns yellowish-brown underneath. Its coarse fur lacks underhair and ranges from 30 to 120 mm in length. Adults typically weigh between 35 and 66 kg, with females slightly heavier than males; the top recorded weights are 91 kg for a wild female from Brazil and 73.5 kg for a wild male from Uruguay. They have slightly webbed feet, vestigial tails, and hind legs longer than forelegs, with three toes on the rear feet and four on the front. Their blunt muzzles have nostrils, eyes, and ears positioned near the top of the head. Capybaras are superb swimmers, capable of holding their breath underwater for up to five minutes. They rest on dry land in the morning, cool off in water during the hot early afternoon, and graze from late afternoon through the night. Their home ranges span 5 to 16 hectares, typically including a permanent water source, grassland, and dry resting areas. Most do not migrate far; in one study, 80% of recaptured individuals were found within 1,000 meters of their original marking site. Their diet consists mainly of grasses and aquatic plants, supplemented by fruit and tree bark.
- common_name
- Capybara or greater capybara
- scientific_name
- Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
- native_range
- All South American countries except Chile
- habitat
- Semiaquatic; savannas, dense forests, near freshwater
- social_structure
- Groups of 10–20 individuals, up to 100
- lifespan
- 8–10 years maximum; typically under 4 years in the wild
Lore & Background
The capybara, or greater capybara, is the largest living rodent, native to every South American country except Chile. It has a heavy, barrel-shaped body and a broad head, with coarse reddish-brown fur on its upper body that fades to yellowish-brown underneath. This fur lacks underhair and ranges from 30 to 120 mm in length, and the animal’s sweat glands are located on the hairy parts of its skin, an unusual trait among rodents. Adults typically weigh between 35 and 66 kg, with females slightly heavier than males; the largest recorded wild individuals include an 81 kg specimen from Brazil. They stand up to 62 cm tall at the withers and measure 106 to 134 cm in length. Their hind legs are longer than their forelegs, and they have slightly webbed feet with three toes on the rear and four on the front, plus a vestigial tail. The muzzle is blunt, with nostrils, eyes, and ears positioned high on the head. Capybaras are semiaquatic herbivores inhabiting savannas, dense forests, and wetlands near freshwater sources such as rivers, lakes, and swamps. They are highly social, living in groups of 10–20 individuals, though groups as large as 100 occur. Their home ranges span 5 to 16 hectares, typically including water, grazing areas, and dry resting spots. Most do not migrate far; studies show 80% of marked individuals remain within 1000 meters of their capture site after two years. They are hunted for their meat, hide, and the grease from their thick, fatty skin.
Reader's Guide
Capybaras are the largest living rodents, with adults reaching 106 to 134 centimeters in length, 50 to 62 centimeters at the shoulder, and typically weighing 35 to 66 kilograms, though a wild female from Brazil was recorded at 91 kilograms. They have heavy, barrel-shaped bodies, broad heads, and coarse reddish-brown fur that turns yellowish underneath, lacking underhair. Unusually among rodents, their sweat glands are located on the hairy portions of the skin. Their hind legs are slightly longer than the forelegs, and they have slightly webbed feet with three toes on the rear and four on the front, plus a vestigial tail. The muzzle is blunt, with nostrils, eyes, and ears positioned high on the head. Their karyotype consists of 66 chromosomes with 102 arms. Capybaras are semiaquatic herbivores inhabiting savannas, dense forests, and wetlands near freshwater across all South American countries except Chile, with the highest recorded elevation at 1,500 meters. They are highly social, living in groups of 10 to 20 individuals, sometimes up to 100. Their home ranges span 5 to 16 hectares and include water, grazing areas, and dry resting spots. They are superb swimmers, holding their breath underwater for up to five minutes, and graze mainly on grasses and aquatic plants during late afternoon and night. They are hunted for meat, hide, and grease from their thick skin. Escaped captives appear in Florida and California, potentially filling ecological roles of Pleistocene capybaras that once lived in those regions. Their taxonomy is under revision; fossil diversity has been reduced because capybara molar teeth vary greatly with age, leading to past misclassification of differently aged individuals as separate species.
Did You Know?
- Capybaras can hold their breath underwater for up to five minutes.
- They eat their own feces to obtain bacterial gut flora for digesting cellulose.
- Their front teeth and cheek teeth grow continuously to compensate for wear.
- Females are slightly heavier than males; the top recorded weight is 91 kg for a wild female from Brazil.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a capybara?
The capybara, also called the greater capybara, is the largest rodent still alive on Earth. Its full scientific name is Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, placing it squarely in the rodent family.
Where are capybaras found in the wild?
They are native to every South American country except Chile, favoring habitats near freshwater such as savannas, dense forests, and riverbanks. Their semiaquatic lifestyle means they spend a great deal of time in or right next to water.
Do capybaras live in groups?
Yes—capybaras are remarkably social animals that usually travel in herds of about 10 to 20 individuals, though gatherings as large as 100 have been observed. This group-living behavior is a central part of their daily routine.
What do capybaras eat?
They are strict herbivores, feeding primarily on grasses and aquatic plants. Their semiaquatic nature lets them graze on vegetation both on land and in shallow water.
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