What species is a capybara?
The capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) is the world’s largest living rodent and a semiaquatic mammal native to South America. It is a member of the family Caviidae and the sole extant species in the genus Hydrochoerus. Highly social and herbivorous, capybaras inhabit wetlands, savannas, and riverbanks, where they graze on grasses and aquatic plants and serve as important prey for jaguars, caimans, and birds of prey.
Taxonomy and scientific classification
Species name and authority
Linnaeus first described the capybara in 1766 as Mus hydrochaeris; it was later placed in Hydrochoerus by Gray in 1821. The type species is Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, which includes several recognized subspecies across its range.
Closest relatives
Molecular and morphological studies place the capybara within Caviidae alongside guinea pigs (Cavia), agoutis (Dasyprocta), and pacas (Cuniculus). Its nearest living relatives are the smaller guinea pig–type rodents, sharing common ancestry with the hydrochoerine lineage.
Family: Caviidae
Genus: Hydrochoerus
Species: Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
No recognized subspecies universally split; variation is clinal across South America.
Key physical and behavioral traits
Capybaras are heavy, barrel-bodied rodents with short, dense fur; a blunt, rounded snout; and eyes, ears, and nostrils positioned high on the head to facilitate swimming. Adults weigh 35–66 kg (77–146 lb) and measure about 1–1.3 m in body length, with a short tail and partially webbed feet adapted for aquatic life. They are crepuscular and gregarious, living in groups of 10–40 individuals, and communicate through vocalizations and scent marking. Their diet is predominantly grass-based, supplemented by aquatic vegetation, and they require access to water for thermoregulation and escape from predators.
Conservation and distribution
Capybaras range across much of northern and central South America, including Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, northern Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, and parts of Argentina and Uruguay. They are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, but local populations can be affected by habitat loss, hunting, and competition with livestock. In some regions they are hunted for meat and skin, while in others they are protected and managed within reserves and national parks.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris | Taxonomic authorities (Linnaeus, 1766; Gray, 1821) |
| Common name | Capybara | Widely used in English and Spanish (capibara) |
| Family | Caviidae | Mammal taxonomy references |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) | IUCN Red List assessment |
| Typical adult weight | 35–66 kg (77–146 lb) | Published field studies |
| Typical adult head-body length | 100–130 cm | Mammal survey data |
Notable ecological roles and interactions
Capybaras are ecosystem engineers in wetlands, influencing vegetation structure through grazing and creating pathways that benefit other species. Their grazing maintains open water margins and nutrient cycling, while their burrows provide refuge for turtles, small mammals, and birds. They are a key prey species for top predators, helping to sustain food webs across their range.
FAQ
Reader questions
Are capybaras rodents?
Yes. Capybaras are the largest extant rodents, characterized by continuously growing incisors and a single pair of lower incisors that enamel more slowly than the upper pair.
How do capybaras relate to guinea pigs?
Capybaras are closely related to guinea pigs (Cavia) within the family Caviidae, sharing a common ancestor within the hydrochoerine lineage.
Can capybaras swim?
Yes. They are semiaquatic, able to hold their breath for several minutes and to dive, using webbed feet and laterally compressed bodies for efficient swimming.
Do capybaras live alone?
No. They are social animals and live in groups, which can vary in size depending on habitat and resource availability.