Capybara
Largest living rodent, semiaquatic and highly social.
The capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), also known as the greater capybara, is the largest living rodent. It is a semiaquatic herbivore native to all South American countries except Chile, inhabiting savannas, dense forests, and areas near freshwater bodies. Capybaras are highly social, typically living in groups of 10–20 individuals, and are hunted for their meat, hide, and grease.
- 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's common name derives from Tupi ka'apiûara, meaning 'grass-eater.' Its genus name, Hydrochoerus, comes from Greek for 'water pig.' Capybaras are superb swimmers, holding their breath underwater for up to five minutes. They are herbivores, feeding mainly on grasses and aquatic plants, and practice autocoprophagy—eating their own feces to aid digestion. They also regurgitate food to chew again, similar to cattle.
Reader's Guide
Capybaras are significant as the largest extant rodents and as a keystone species in South American wetlands. Their social structure and semiaquatic lifestyle make them a subject of ecological study. They are hunted for meat, hide, and grease, and have escaped captivity in regions like Florida and California, potentially filling ecological niches left by Pleistocene capybaras. Their taxonomy remains under revision, with fossil diversity recently reduced due to recognition of age-related tooth variation. Capybaras cannot synthesize vitamin C, requiring dietary supplementation in captivity.
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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