South AmericaLeast concern
Capybara
Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
The largest rodent in the world. Capybaras live in groups near rivers and wetlands.
- Weight
- Up to 65 kg
- Size
- 1.3 m long
- Lifespan
- 8–10 years
- Top speed
- 35 km/h
- Diet
- Herbivore
- Mammal group
- Placental
How heavy is that?
As heavy as 2 kids (40 kg each)
Where it lives
Three things to know
- Has slightly webbed feet for swimming.
- Can hold its breath for about 5 minutes.
- Birds often ride on its back.
Compare with…
- Weight
- Capybara65 kgA 10-year-old kid40 kgThe capybara weighs about 1.6× as much as the kid
- Size
- Capybara1.3 mA 10-year-old kid1.4 mAbout the same
- Top speed
- Capybara35 km/hA 10-year-old kid20 km/hThe capybara is about 1.8× as fast as the kid
- Lifespan
- Capybara10 yrsA 10-year-old kid80 yrsThe kid can live about 8× as long as the capybara
