Capybara (Hydrochoeris hydrochaeris) lives in freshwater habitats across South America. It feeds on grass and plants. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Capybara
- Capybaras are superb swimmers and can hold their breath underwater for up to five minutes at a time. They inhabit wetlands from lowland savannas up to 1,500 m elevation, with one Peruvian population recorded above 800 m (2,600 ft) in a high-altitude palm swamp, showing their ability to thrive across a wide vertical climate gradient.
- Female capybaras carry their young for 130-150 days before birthing an average litter of four, though litters can range from one to eight pups. Newborns join the herd within hours, start nibbling grass within a week, and stay dependent on communal nursing until about 16 weeks.
- In Peru's Tingana Conservation Concession, eight camera traps have logged 66 species in two years, including capybara sightings. The protected landscape covers an initial 2,500 ha (nearly 6,200 acres) granted for 40 years, later expanded by a 1,500-ha (3,700-acre) addition.
- Capybaras live in tight-knit bands of 10-20 members, but when water dries they can swell to 50 or even 100 individuals, all sharing a home range of 5 to 16 hectares that must contain water, grazing, and dry resting spots.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeSouth America
HabitatFreshwater habitats
DietGrass and plants
About the Capybara
In the lush wetlands of South America, the capybara glides effortlessly, its webbed feet propelling it through the murky waters with a serene elegance, as if it were a creature of the river itself. As it moves, its coarse fur glistens with dew and water droplets, reflecting the dappled sunlight that filters through the vegetation, giving it an air of quiet majesty. With its remarkable ability to thrive in both aquatic and terrestrial environments, the capybara has earned its place as one of the most fascinating and adaptable creatures of the continent.
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