The capybaranote 1 or greater capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) is a giant cavy rodent native to South America. It is the largest living rodent2 and a member of the genus Hydrochoerus. The only other extant member is the lesser capybara (Hydrochoerus isthmius). Its close relatives include guinea pigs and rock cavies, and it is more distantly related to the agouti, the chinchilla, and the nutria. The capybara inhabits savannas and dense forests and lives near bodies of water. It is a highly social species and can be found in groups as large as 100 individuals, but usually lives in groups of 10–20 individuals. The capybara is hunted for its meat and hide and also for grease from its thick fatty skin.3 It is not considered a threatened species.
The jaguar's major prey includes tapirs, deer, monkeys, and capybara, but it will eat almost any vertebrate.
by Slep24 November 8, 2022
Get the Capybara mug.“Don’t look now Pedro but I think that tailless, largely aquatic four-and a half foot rodent
swimming next to you may be a capybara.”
swimming next to you may be a capybara.”
by KingofNewYork0713 November 12, 2025
Get the capybara mug.