General Information
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Common Name: Capybara
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Scientific Name: Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
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Family: Caviidae (same family as guinea pigs and cavies)
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Origin: South America (found in Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay)
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Status: Least Concern (IUCN), though hunted locally for meat, hide, and grease
Physical Description
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Size: 3.5–4.5 feet (106–134 cm) long
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Height: 20–24 inches (50–60 cm) at the shoulder
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Weight: 35–66 kg (77–145 lbs), males slightly smaller than females
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Body: Barrel-shaped, stocky with short legs and no tail
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Head: Broad, blunt snout with small eyes, ears, and nose positioned on top of the head (adapted for swimming)
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Fur: Coarse, brownish to reddish
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Feet: Partially webbed toes for swimming
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Lifespan: 6–10 years in the wild; up to 12 years in captivity
Temperament & Behavior
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Social Structure: Highly social; live in groups of 10–20, sometimes up to 100 in rich habitats
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Activity: Semi-aquatic; spend lots of time in water to escape predators and stay cool
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Behavior:
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Gentle, calm, and tolerant of other animals (often seen interacting peacefully with birds, monkeys, or livestock)
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Communicate with barks, whistles, clicks, grunts, and purr-like noises
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Intelligence: Can be tamed and kept as pets where legal, but require specialized care
Diet
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Type: Strict herbivore (hindgut fermenter)
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Main Foods: Grasses, aquatic plants, reeds, and sometimes fruits
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Special Behavior: Coprophagy (eat their own droppings to digest fiber more efficiently)
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Water Needs: Must have constant access to fresh water for both drinking and swimming
Habitat & Range
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Natural Habitat: Savannas, wetlands, riverbanks, and marshes of South America
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Adaptations: Excellent swimmers; can stay submerged for up to 5 minutes
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Climate: Thrive in warm, tropical to subtropical environments
Reproduction
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Breeding: Year-round in equatorial areas; seasonal in southern regions
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Gestation: About 150 days (5 months)
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Litter Size: 2–8 pups (average 4)
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Young: Born precocial (fully furred, eyes open, able to graze within a week)
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Parental Care: Young are cared for communally within the group
