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Capybara

Photo: Charles J. Sharp (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons

Capybara

Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris (Linnaeus, 1766)

Conservation status in the wild

Not at risk

IUCN: Least concern · Red List

Encyclopaedia

What is a capybara?

At a glance4
  1. 1

    Adult weight: around 49 kg.[1]

  2. 2

    Typical height: around 50-62 cm.[2]

  3. 3

    Typical body length: around 106-134 cm.[2]

  4. 4

    Longest recorded lifespan: 15.1 years (in captivity).[3]

Overviewnone yet
Origins and historynone yet
Temperament and behaviournone yet
Healthnone yet
Common questionsnone yet
Fun facts6 facts
  1. 1

    Capybaras invite birds such as the yellow-headed caracara to pick parasites off their skin by showing their flanks and undersides.[2]

  2. 2

    Capybaras re-chew food they bring back up, a bit like cows chewing cud, and they also eat their own droppings to get helpful gut bacteria.[2]

  3. 3

    Capybara babies can nurse from any female in the group, and the young form their own little group within the larger one.[2]

  4. 4

    Capybaras cannot make their own vitamin C, just like guinea pigs, their close relatives.[2]

  5. 5

    Capybaras talk with barks, chirps, whistles, huffs and purrs.[2]

Sources3
  1. [1]Wikidata (CC0-1.0)
  2. [2]Wikipedia (CC-BY-SA-4.0)
  3. [3]AnAge (CC-BY-3.0)

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Capybara guides

Protecting and staying safe around a capybara

Animal Welfarenone yet
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Handling & Hygienenone yet
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Not veterinary advice. General information about this animal. If you find one injured or in trouble, contact a wildlife rescue or the RSPCA rather than handling it yourself.

Capybara: facts, health & care | Fluffifi