Capybara Facts

General Information

• Common Name: Capybara
• Scientific Name: Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
• Type: Mammal
• Diet: Herbivore
• Group Name: Herd
• Average Lifespan in the Wild: Up to 7 years
• Size: 4.6 feet long, up to 2 feet high at shoulders
• Weight: 77 to 143 pounds

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
• Current Population Trend: Stable

Physical Characteristics

• Largest Rodent: Capybaras are the largest rodents on Earth.
• Body Shape: Pig-shaped bodies adapted for semi-aquatic life.
• Fur and Skin: Reddish to dark brown fur that is long and brittle. Small eyes, noses, and hairless ears located high on the head.

Habitat

• Found in northern and central South America.
• Inhabit forests, seasonally flooded savannas, and wetlands.
• There is a small invasive population in Florida.

Behavior and Lifestyle

• Swimmers: Capybaras are strong swimmers with partially webbed toes.
• Active Times: Activity varies and may be both day and night, often at dawn and dusk.

Predators

• Main Threats: Jaguars, pumas on land; caimans in water.
• Young Capybaras: Vulnerable to snakes like boa constrictors, crab-eating foxes, small cats, and birds of prey.

Diet

• Graze on aquatic plants, grasses, and other plants.
• Practice coprophagy (eating their own feces) to digest twice due to the difficulty in digesting grasses.

Breeding

• Group Living: Capybaras live in groups of up to 40 but can also be solitary.
• Breeding Season: Varies with habitat and mate availability.
• Reproduction: One litter per year with 4-5 young.

Human Interaction

• Some local populations threatened by hunting for their skin.

Related Species

• Closely related to guinea pigs and rock cavies.
• Distantly related to chinchillas and agoutis.

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This summary highlights the key facts about capybaras, including their physical characteristics, habitat, behavior, diet, breeding, and conservation status. Capybaras are significant for their large size and unique adaptations to a semi-aquatic lifestyle.