# Capybara (*Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris*) Capybaras are the largest rodents in the world! They are friendly and love to live near water, often seen relaxing by rivers and lakes. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands, rivers, and grasslands - **Also known as:** Capybara Cavy, Capybaras, Water Hog ![Capybara](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424249/objects/4522.jpg) ## Appearance The Capybara is the world's largest rodent, sporting a shaggy, reddish-brown to grey coat. It has a distinctive barrel-shaped body, short legs, and a blunt snout. Its small eyes, nose, and ears are set high on its head. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Rodentia - **Family:** Caviidae - **Genus:** Hydrochoerus ## Interesting facts - Capybaras often nap underwater, with only their nose peeking out! - It's the world's largest living rodent, bigger than a dog! - Some other animals, like monkeys, ride on their backs for transport! - They communicate using purrs, barks, whistles, and even clicks! ## Special abilities - **Water Paws:** Capybara has partially webbed feet that help them swim gracefully and move easily through soft mud. - **Nature's Lawn Mower:** Capybara has continuously growing front teeth that help them chew tough grasses and water plants. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 100-130 cm - **Weight:** 35-66 kg - **Lifespan:** 6-10 years - **Speed:** 35 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-8 - **Gestation:** 130-150 days ## Diet & Feeding These gentle giants eat mostly plants found near water, helping keep habitats tidy. - **Primary Foods:** grasses, aquatic plants, tree bark, sedges - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Jaguar](https://www.snappit.app/explore/jaguar) (*Panthera onca*) — Major predator, ambushes capybaras near rivers and ponds. - **Eaten by:** Green Anaconda (*Eunectes murinus*) — Large snake, preys on capybaras in their aquatic habitat. - **Eaten by:** [Spectacled Caiman](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spectacled-caiman) (*Caiman crocodilus*) — Aquatic reptile, hunts capybaras that enter the water. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Capybaras are friendly animals, but it's best to watch them from a distance in the wild. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Capybara? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Capybara? 100-130 cm ### How much does Capybara weigh? 35-66 kg ### How long does Capybara live? 6-10 years ### How fast can Capybara move? 35 km/h ### What does Capybara eat? These gentle giants eat mostly plants found near water, helping keep habitats tidy. ### Where is Capybara usually found? Wetlands, rivers, and grasslands ### How does Capybara hunt? Grazing ## Where to spot - [John Ball Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/john-ball-zoo) — Michigan, US · Zoo - [African Safari Wildlife Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/african-safari-wildlife-park) — Ohio, US · Zoo - [Brevard Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brevard-zoo) — Florida, US · Zoo - [Buffalo Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/buffalo-zoo) — New York, US · Zoo - [Cameron Park Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cameron-park-zoo) — Texas, US · Zoo - [Cape May County Park & Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cape-may-county-park-and-zoo) — New Jersey, US · Zoo [View all places to see Capybara](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/capybara) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Capybara: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/capybara)