Are capybaras friendly?

Yes, capybaras are known for their calm and gentle temperament. They are highly social animals that peacefully coexist with many other species. However, they are wild animals and can become aggressive if threatened. Males can be territorial during breeding season.

Where do capybaras live?

Capybaras are native to South America and live in countries including Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, and Argentina. They inhabit wetland areas near rivers, lakes, swamps, and flooded grasslands. They always require access to water for survival and temperature regulation.

What do capybaras eat?

Capybaras are herbivores that primarily eat grasses and aquatic plants. They can consume up to 8 pounds of vegetation daily. During the dry season, they eat more aquatic plants and reeds. They practice coprophagy to maximize nutrient absorption from tough plant material.

How long do capybaras live?

Capybaras typically live 8 to 10 years in the wild. In captivity with proper care, they can live up to 12 years. Their lifespan is affected by predation from caimans, jaguars, and anacondas. Disease and habitat quality also influence longevity.

Yes, capybaras are excellent swimmers that can reach speeds up to 22 mph in water. They have slightly webbed feet and can hold their breath underwater for up to 5 minutes. They spend much of their day in water to stay cool and avoid predators.

Do capybaras live in groups?

Yes, capybaras are highly social and live in groups of 10 to 20 individuals. Groups include a dominant male, several females, their young, and subordinate males. During dry seasons, groups can exceed 100 individuals when they gather near limited water sources.

Can you have a capybara as a pet?

Keeping capybaras as pets is legal in some places but illegal in many others. They require specialized care including large outdoor spaces, access to water for swimming, and social companionship from other capybaras. They are wild animals with specific needs difficult to meet in typical home environments.

Capybara Facts: Size, Habitat & Social Behavior

Discover the world's largest rodent and gentle giant

Capybaras are the world's largest rodents weighing up to 140 pounds. Learn about their social behavior, aquatic lifestyle, and gentle nature.

Key Facts

Scientific Name

Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris

Lifespan

8 to 10 years in wild

Weight

77 to 146 lbs (35 to 66 kg)

Length

3.5 to 4.4 feet (106 to 134 cm)

Height

20 to 24 inches (50 to 62 cm)

Diet

Herbivore (grasses, aquatic plants)

Group Size

10 to 20 individuals

Swimming Speed

Up to 22 mph (35 km/h)

Gestation Period

130 to 150 days

Average Litter Size

4 to 5 pups

Social Behavior

Highly social, live in groups

Active Period

Crepuscular (dawn and dusk)

Quick Stats

Attribute	Value
Scientific Name	Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
Average Lifespan	8 to 10 years
Maximum Weight	146 lbs (66 kg)
Body Length	3.5 to 4.4 feet
Typical Group Size	10 to 20 capybaras
Teeth Growth	Continuous throughout life
Swimming Ability	Can hold breath for 5 minutes
Native Range	South America
Conservation Status	Least Concern

About Capybara Facts: Size, Habitat & Social Behavior

Capybaras are the largest rodents in the world, native to South America. These gentle giants can weigh up to 146 pounds and measure over 4 feet in length.

Physical Characteristics and Size

Capybaras have barrel shaped bodies covered in coarse reddish brown to grayish fur. Adult capybaras typically weigh between 77 and 146 pounds, with females usually larger than males. They stand about 20 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder.

Habitat and Distribution

Capybaras inhabit diverse wetland environments across South America. They are found in countries including Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Argentina, and Paraguay. Capybaras always live near bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, swamps, and flooded grasslands.

Diet and Feeding Habits

Capybaras are strict herbivores that primarily eat grasses and aquatic plants. They graze for several hours each day, consuming up to 8 pounds of vegetation. Capybaras have a unique digestive system that allows them to extract nutrients from tough plant material.

Social Structure and Behavior

Capybaras are extremely social animals that live in complex hierarchical groups. Typical groups consist of 10 to 20 individuals, though groups can exceed 100 during the dry season when they gather near limited water sources. Each group includes a dominant male, several females, their offspring, and subordinate males.

Reproduction and Parenting

Females reach sexual maturity around 12 to 18 months of age. After a gestation period of 130 to 150 days, females give birth to litters of 4 to 5 pups on average. Pups can also eat grass just a few days after birth, though they continue nursing for about 16 weeks.

Aquatic Abilities and Adaptations

They can swim at speeds up to 22 mph when escaping danger. Capybaras can stay completely submerged for up to 5 minutes to hide from predators. This semi aquatic behavior distinguishes capybaras from most other rodents.

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Did You Know?

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Capybaras are the world's largest rodents, weighing up to 146 pounds and measuring over 4 feet long

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They can hold their breath underwater for up to 5 minutes to hide from predators like jaguars and anacondas

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Capybaras are so friendly that birds often perch on their backs to catch insects and rest

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All female capybaras in a group help care for each other's babies, demonstrating cooperative parenting

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Their scientific name Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris means water hog, referring to their semi aquatic lifestyle

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Capybaras eat their own feces to extract maximum nutrients from the tough grasses they consume

Frequently Asked Questions

Capybaras are the world's largest rodents, reaching weights of 77 to 146 pounds and lengths of 3.5 to 4.4 feet. They stand about 20 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder. Females are typically larger than males. Their size is comparable to a large dog.