Capybara
These are the world’s largest rodent species, living partly on land and partly in water. They are excellent swimmers, with webbed feet and no tail. Their coats are coarse, with long fur of a yellowish brown to black colour. Their front feet have four toes each and their back feet have three toes. Often they can be found submerged in water with only their nose and eyes visible. They have square shaped muzzles with the nostrils at the top.
What they eat
Aquatic plants, grains, fruits, grasses.
How long they live
About 10 years in the wild.
Biology
These creatures are most active in the early morning, and rest on and off in burrows for the rest of the day. They communicate with other through a series of high pitched whistles, barks, squeals, purrs and clicking sounds. They reach sexual maturity at about 18 months old, though breeding seasons vary according to weather conditions in their local habitat. Pregnancy lasts about 150 days, with females giving birth to an average of four young per litter, but it can be as many as eight. The young live in a crèche, suckling from different females in the group.
Did you know?
Capybara will often graze at night as well as in the day, as they do not sleep for long periods, but get their rest by dozing intermittently.
Adopt Me!
Species Profile
Common name
Capybara
Scientific name
Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
Animal group/type
Mammal - rodent
Where they live
Central and South America
Habitat
Rainforests, swamps and marshes
Size
Height: 45cm
Length: 121cm
Weight
Males: 35-64kg
Females: 37-66kg
Conservation status (IUCN Red List)
Not on the IUCN List
Threats
Habitat loss due to rainforest destruction for development.
Logging and forest burning is destroying hundred of thousands of acres of wildlife habitat every day.
Natural predators such as big cats and birds of prey
There was a dramatic drop in the numbers of capybaras in the wild due to widespread hunting in the 1980s.