Capybara
⚡ Key Facts & Quick Answers (AEO Summary)
- Taxonomic Class: Mammals
- Dietary Niche: Herbivore
- Max Speed: 35 km/h (22 mph)
- Adult Weight: 35 - 66 kg (77 - 146 lbs)
- Typical Lifespan: 8 - 10 years
- Primary Habitat: Dense forests near lakes, rivers, marshes
- Native Region: South America
- IUCN Red List: Least Concern
📊 Physical & Biological Metrics
🧬 Scientific Taxonomy & Biological Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Rodentia |
| Family | Caviidae |
| Genus | Hydrochoerus |
| Species Binomial | Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris |
📖 1. Species Overview
The capybara is the largest living rodent in the world. Semi-aquatic by nature, they are highly social animals that live in large herds near wetlands across South America. They are famous for their calm, gentle temperament and are often seen resting peacefully alongside other wildlife.
🦿 2. Physical Appearance, Anatomy & Adaptations
Capybaras have heavy, barrel-shaped bodies, short heads, and coarse, reddish-brown fur. They lack tails. Their eyes, ears, and nostrils are located high on their heads, allowing them to remain mostly submerged in water. They have webbed feet and grow up to 1.3 meters long.
🗺️ 3. Habitat, Geographic Distribution & Territorial Range
They live in wetlands, marshes, estuaries, and riverbanks in South America. Capybaras are semi-aquatic mammals, using water to escape predators (like jaguars and anacondas) and regulate body temperature. They are social, living in groups of 10 to 30 led by a dominant male.
🥩 4. Diet, Feeding Strategy & Hunting Tactics
They are herbivores that feed on grasses, aquatic plants, bark, and fruit. They are highly selective feeders, focusing on specific plant species. Like other rodents, their front incisor teeth grow continuously throughout their lives to compensate for the wear of chewing tough vegetation.
🐣 5. Reproduction, Lifecycle & Social Hierarchy
Mating occurs in water. Following a gestation period of 150 days, the female gives birth to a litter of 4 to 8 young on land. The young are highly precocial, able to run and eat grass shortly after birth. They nurse collectively from any lactating female in the group.
🛡️ 6. Conservation Status, Population Threats & Protection
Currently listed as Least Concern, capybaras are common and widespread. They are hunted locally for their meat and leather, but their rapid reproductive rate helps keep their populations stable. Their main threat is habitat loss due to wetland draining.
💡 Fascinating Facts & Trivia
- Capybaras can hold their breath underwater for up to five minutes to hide from jaguars.
- As the world's largest rodents, they are closely related to guinea pigs.
- They are highly social and are often used as 'chairs' or resting pads by birds, monkeys, and even caimans.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Direct authoritative answers regarding the biology, feeding habits, and habitat of the Capybara.
The Capybara is scientifically classified as Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris. It belongs to the genus Hydrochoerus within the family Caviidae, class Mammalia, and phylum Chordata.
In the wild, Capybaras inhabit Dense forests near lakes, rivers, marshes. Their native geographic range primarily spans South America.
The Capybara is classified as a Herbivore. It feeds primarily on specialized nutrients suited to its ecological niche in Dense forests near lakes, rivers, marshes.
A Capybara can achieve top speeds of 35 km/h (22 mph) and weighs approximately 35 - 66 kg (77 - 146 lbs). Its expected natural lifespan is 8 - 10 years.
The Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) is currently designated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Cite this Article
FaunaWiki Zoological Database (2026). "Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) Species Profile."
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