Capybara Facts
Mammals
Capybaras, the world's largest rodents, are fascinating mammals known for their semi-aquatic lifestyle and social behaviors in South America.
South America
Capybaras, native to South America, thrive in wetlands and grassy areas, where they graze and swim in freshwater habitats.
Endangered Status
While not currently endangered, capybaras face habitat loss and hunting pressures, necessitating conservation efforts to ensure their survival.
Capybara Names
Common Names
Kapiyva (or “master of the grasses” in an Amazon tribe’s native language)
- Carpincho
- Capibara
- Chigüiro
- Maja
- Poncho
Scientific Name
- Hydrochaeris (from Greek, meaning “water hog”)
Do they have Tails?
Capybaras do not have prominent tails. Unlike many other rodents, their tails are vestigial, meaning they are extremely short and not externally visible. This lack of a significant tail is one of the distinctive physical characteristics of capybaras.
facts
Sleeping in Water
Capybaras have a unique adaptation of sleeping in water, often submerging themselves while keeping their noses above the surface for air. This not only helps them stay cool but also provides safety from predators.
Unique Vocal Repertoire
Capybaras communicate with a diverse range of sounds, from purring to whistling, each conveying different messages within their social groups.
Eating Their Own Feces
Capybaras' teeth grow continuously, which they manage by grazing on tough plants, and they also consume their own feces to extract maximum nutrition from their hard-to-digest diet.
Info
Size
Largest Roden in World
Weight
35 to 66 kg (77–146 lbs).
Height
50 to 62 cm (20 to 24 in).
Food
Herbivores
Habitat
Near bodies of water
- "Capybara" is a really cool word from the Tupi language in Brazil, and it means "one who eats slender leaves." That's because they love munching on slim leaves!
- As opposed to most rodents, capybaras cannot hold food in their front feet when feeding. They are known to sit on their haunches in a dog-like position.
- Did you know capybaras are super smart and can be trained? There was even a blind man in Surinam who used a capybara as his guide animal!
- Baby capybaras aren't the best swimmers at first. So, they spend a lot of time on land, hiding under bushes and plants for safety.
- Capybaras have special scent glands that help them communicate too. One is on their nose, called a morrillo, and the other is under their tail. They use these to leave scents for other capybaras.
Where do Capybaras Live?
Class
Domain
Eukaryota
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Order
Rodentia
Family
Caviidae
Genus
Hydrochoerus
Capybara Babies are Fast Learners
Newborn capybaras are remarkably swift on their feet, ready to join their group in just three to four days after birth. Their early mobility is a testament to nature's resilience and adaptability.
Capybara Predators
Capybaras, the world's largest rodents, are primarily hunted by predators like jaguars, anacondas, and caimans. Humans also hunt capybaras for their meat and fur in some South American regions.
Other Important Facts
Capybaras have a diet that is 75% composed of only three to six types of plants.
- Grasses
- Aquatic Plants
- Fruits
- Bark and Twigs
- Reeds and Rushes
- Leaves
Social Structure and Family Life
Capybaras are social animals, typically living in small groups of about 10 individuals, including a dominant male, females, subordinate males, and young. In the wet season, groups can swell to as many as 40 individuals. This social structure is beneficial for protecting the young from predators like caimans, ocelots, harpy eagles, anacondas, and jaguars.
Lifespan and Reproduction
Capybaras have a lifespan of up to 12 years in captivity and about 10 years in the wild. They have a gestation period of 5 to 6 months, with litters usually consisting of around 5 pups, each weighing 2 to 3 pounds at birth. They reach maturity at about 15 months old.
