Capybara

Presentation

The Capybara is the world's largest rodent, native to South America. It lives in social groups along the rivers, marshes and wetlands of South America, often in troops of ten to twenty individuals. Its massive body, short legs and semi-webbed feet make it an excellent swimmer and diver. Its rough, sparse reddish-brown fur, as well as its square muzzle and small round ears make it easily recognizable. Due to its docile character, it is increasingly sought after as a new pet, although its breeding remains regulated in many countries.

The Capybara has a stocky body, a large head and eyes, ears and nostrils placed at the top of the skull, which allows it to remain almost submerged while observing its surroundings. Its hind legs are slightly longer than the front ones and its toes are joined by a membrane making it easier to swim. Its fur is coarse, reddish-brown to gray-brown in color, providing camouflage in aquatic vegetation.

Characteristics

Indicative values: they vary by subspecies, sex and region.

Habitat and distribution

The Capybara frequents the banks of rivers, lakes, swamps and wetlands bordered by dense vegetation. It needs permanent access to water, both for feeding, to escape predators and to regulate its body temperature. It is also found in areas of floodable savannah and tropical forest near water points.

Behaviour

A gregarious animal, the Capybara lives in family groups led by a dominant male, generally numbering between ten and twenty individuals. It communicates by hissing, growling and chattering teeth to signal danger or maintain group cohesion. Active especially at dusk and dawn, it spends much of the day in or near water to protect itself from the heat and predators. It is known for its calm and tolerant temperament, especially towards other animal species.

Reproduction

Female Capybara can breed throughout the year, peaking during the rainy season. After a gestation of approximately one hundred and fifty days, she gives birth to two to eight young, capable of moving and feeding shortly after birth. The young are raised collectively within the group, with several females nursing the young indifferently.

Peculiarities

The Capybara is the largest rodent currently alive, far exceeding the size of other members of this order. Its ability to remain submerged for several minutes, leaving only the top of its head emerging, constitutes a remarkable adaptation to semi-aquatic life. It maintains astonishing tolerant relationships with many other species, birds and even caimans, which sometimes perch on its back.

Threats and conservation

In its natural range, the Capybara is hunted for its meat and skin, although this pressure remains generally moderate compared to the size of its populations. The degradation and drying of wetlands constitutes a more significant local threat than hunting. The species is currently not considered globally threatened.

References

Profile updated 22 August 2026 · Reviewed by the TunisieVet editorial team.