Capybara

What is a Capybara?

The capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) is the largest rodent in the world, often described as a supersized guinea pig. Unlike most of its rodent relatives, the capybara is highly social and semi-aquatic, spending much of its life near water. With their calm nature and adorable faces, capybaras have stolen the hearts of thousands of animal lovers worldwide.

Where Do Capybaras Live?

Capybaras are native to South America, with wild populations found in:

• Brazil
• Venezuela
• Colombia
• Argentina
• Peru
• Bolivia
• Paraguay 
• Uruguay

As semi-aquatic mammals, capybaras live in wetland environments, including tropical forests, flooded savannas, riverbanks, lakeshores, marshes and swamps. The ideal capybara habitat provides easy access to both dry land for grazing and bodies of water for swimming, cooling off and escaping predators.

In Florida, small populations of escaped or released capybaras have been spotted thriving in the wild. While it’s exciting to see them here, these non-native animals are considered an emerging invasive species, which means they could eventually pose a risk to Florida’s native wildlife and ecosystem.

What Do Capybaras Eat?

Capybaras are herbivores, primarily eating grasses, aquatic plants, reeds and occasionally bark or fruit. Like other rodents, their front teeth grow continuously, so chewing rough plants all day helps wear them down.

One weird fact about capybara diets is that they eat their own poop! This behavior, known as   coprophagy, enables them to re-digest partially processed food, extracting additional nutrients like protein and fiber. So, although it might sound gross to us, this evolutionary behavior helps capybaras survive in the wild.

Size, Weight & Lifespan

When we say big, we mean it! Capybaras can weigh as much as a large dog or more. Here’s how they measure up:

Height: Up to 2 feet tall at the shoulders

Length: Up to 4 feet from nose to rear

Weight: Typically 77–150 pounds (average around 108 pounds)

Lifespan: 8–10 years in the wild and up to 12 years with expert care

A capybara’s size helps protect them in the wild, but also makes them highly visible. This is why these South American rodents rely on camouflage and group behavior for safety.

Capybara Behaviors & Predators

Capybaras are known for their social behavior, often living in groups of 10 to 20 individuals. During the dry season, herds can grow even larger. Some have been recorded to be as big as 100 capybaras! 

Despite their gentle nature, wild capybaras must remain alert to predators. Capybara predators include:

• Jaguars and pumas
• Caimans and large snakes like anacondas
• Birds of prey that may target young capybaras

Capybaras are currently listed as a species of Least Concern, which means their population is stable for now. But threats like deforestation, habitat loss and hunting are putting pressure on them in some regions.