What Is a Capybara
The capybara is the world’s largest living rodent. Native to South America, it belongs to the family Caviidae and is closely related to guinea pigs. Adults typically weigh 35 to 65 kilograms and measure about 1 to 1.3 meters in length.
Capybara Habitat and Diet
Capybaras live near rivers, lakes, and wetlands in forests, savannas, and grasslands across Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, and Argentina. They are herbivores, feeding mainly on grasses and aquatic plants, and they can eat their own feces to aid digestion.
Capybara Behavior and Social Life
Capybaras are highly social animals that live in groups of 10 to 20 individuals. They are excellent swimmers and often enter water to escape predators or regulate body temperature. Their calm temperament has made them a subject of interest in wildlife documentaries and zoological research.
For more details, see the National Geographic capybara profile.
