10 Facts About Capybaras: The World’s Largest Rodents

Capybaras are curious animals. While they don’t look like your run-of-the-mill street or kitchen cupboard-dweller, these South American natives are the largest rodents in the world. Bizarre-looking as they may be, Capybaras have quickly become the pseudo-stars of the Internet—largely due to the fact that they look like overgrown guinea pigs—but also because of their predisposition to mix comfortably with other animals.

Capybaras (Jerry and Elaine) are famous at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary’s ‘Lost Valley’— and visitors can’t get enough of these guys.

Here are 10 facts you may or may not have known about Capybaras.

1. Largest Rodents in the World

Capybaras belong to the cavy family (Caviidae), their closest relatives are actually guinea pigs and rock cavies. They’re essentially the rodent version of the hippopotamus—gnawing their food whilst swimming in the South American swamps. On a slightly grosser note, these guys eat their own dung to extract maximum nutrition from their food—much like rabbits. Don’t try that at home, folks!

2. Capybaras are fantastic swimmers

Capybaras can always be found living near bodies of water due to their semi-aquatic lifestyle. Along the banks of the Amazon River, these murky waters harbour many threats for a Capybara, but life by the water is still the perfect spot to set up camp—allowing them to retreat quickly and escape from predators like anacondas, wild cats and even eagles.¹ 

Webbed feet help them to maneuver in water, and their facial features are located towards the top of their large heads to help them see and breathe while they swim. Pretty neat, huh?!

3. Can Capybaras sleep in water?

Yes, Capybaras can dive and stay underwater for up to 5 minutes at a time—often falling asleep in the water whilst keeping their nose at the edge of the banks. Napping along rivers, mangroves and marshes helps them to stay cool.² Who could blame them in the hot Amazonian sun?

4. How fast can Capybaras run?

While Capybaras feel at home by the water’s edge, they certainly know their way around the land and are capable of reaching speeds of up to 35 kilometres an hour.

5. They have a unique vocal repertoire 

Capybaras are rather vocal animals. They like to express themselves by purring, barking, cackling, whistling, squealing, whining, grunting and even teeth-chattering—depending on what they’re trying to communicate. Not only are there harmonic differences among social groups, but each sound a Capybara makes bears a significant meaning.³ Alerts from group members can be environmental cues, including as danger from predators and isolation of their young.

6. Capybaras teeth grow continuously

To make up for the constant wear and tear of eating tough aquatic plants and grasses—their pearly whites will just keep on growing! Like rabbits, their high-crowned, narrow-edge teeth are perfectly adapted for cutting up their food.⁴

7. Other animals use Capybaras like furniture

Often referred to as “nature’s ottoman” or “moving chairs”, these friendly critters don’t ever seem to knock back a ride sharing request from another animal. A whole host of bird species, monkeys, rabbits, and even other Capybaras have been spotted seated, perched or laying on the back of a much-obliging Capybara.⁵

8. Capybaras are very social animals

The gregarious Capybara prefers to live among large herds of around 10-20 and is frequently seen mixing with other animals.⁶ These instances are often displays of a symbiotic relationship, whereby an animal, such as a bird, can enjoy a free smorgasbord of insects, while the Capybara sits back and enjoys their free grooming session. Their incredibly social nature also helps protect them from predators and improve their chances of mating.

9. How Much Does a Capybara Weigh?

An adult Capybara can weigh as much as a human. With an average weight of around 50 kilograms, these barrel-shaped mammals are certainly no field mice—weighing anywhere between 35 and 70 kilograms.

10. Capybaras are herbivores

These voluptuous vegetarians eat a diet of aquatic plants, grasses, barks, tubers, and sugar cane. And although they’re able to eat their greens in just a short week of being born, they drink milk for the first 16 week of their lives—suckling indiscriminately from any of the mothers in the group.⁷

Meet Capybaras in a close-up encounter!

Want to get up close and hand-feed the world’s largest rodent? We’ve got two Capybaras here at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Jerry & Elaine, and they’re the most laid-back, loveable Capybaras you’ll ever meet. Book your capy experience here!

You can also get this cute and eco-friendly Capybara plush on our online store. Shipping is available worldwide or you can choose to pick it up at the Sanctuary.

^References

^{1. Lord, R.D. (1994). A descriptive account of capybara behaviour. Studies on neotropical fauna and environment, 29(1), 11-22.}

^{2. Lord, R.D, (1991). Twenty‐four‐hour activity and Coprophagy by Capybaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris). Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment, 26(2), 113-120.}

^{3. Barros, K.S., Tokumaru, R.S., Pedroza, J.P. and Nogueira, S.S. (2011). Vocal repertoire of captive capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris): structure, context and function. Ethology, 117(1), 83-94.}

^{4. Moreira, J.R., Alvarez, M.R., Tarifa, T., Pacheco, V., Taber, A., Tirira, D.G., Herrera, E.A., Ferraz, K.M.P., Aldana-Domínguez, J. and Macdonald, D.W. (2013). Taxonomy, natural history and distribution of the capybara. Springer New York, 3-37.}

^{5. Herrera, E.A. (2013). Capybara social behavior and use of space: patterns and processes. Springer, New York, NY, 195-207.}

^{6. Tomazzoni, A.C., Pedó, E. and Hartz, S.M. (2005). Feeding associations between capybaras Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris (Linnaeus) (Mammalia, Hydrochaeridae) and birds in the Lami Biological Reserve, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Zoologia, 22(3), 712-716.}

^{7. Macdonald, D.W. (1981). Dwindling resources and the social behaviour of capybaras, (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) (Mammalia). Journal of Zoology, 194(3), 371-391.}