Quick Facts
- Type
- Mammal
- Size
- 100–130 cm (body length)
- Weight
- 35–66 kg
- Habitat
- Wetlands, rivers, and marshes of South America
- Diet
- Grasses, aquatic plants, and bark
- Active Time
- Most active at dawn and dusk (crepuscular)
- Lifespan
- 8–10 years in the wild
Field Notes
- Capybaras can stay underwater for up to five minutes to hide from predators.
- They are extremely social and often let other animals rest on them.
- Their teeth never stop growing and are worn down by chewing tough grasses.
About the Capybara
The capybara is the world's largest living rodent, native to the wetlands, rivers, and marshes of South America. These semi-aquatic herbivores have barrel-shaped bodies, slightly webbed feet, and nostrils set high on the snout so they can stay partly submerged. Highly social, capybaras live in groups of ten or more and are famously calm, often seen lounging beside birds, monkeys, and other animals. Excellent swimmers, they dive to escape predators and can hold their breath underwater for several minutes.
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