General Information

The capybara, which means "master of the grasses" in the language of the Guarani Indians, is the largest extant species of rodent in the world. Considered to have stable populations throughout most of its range, it is currently not considered a threatened species by the IUCN. However, they are pressured by hunting and habitat loss, and some farmers see them as grazing competitors for their livestock.

Physical Description

Capybaras possess stocky bodies and blunt heads. They have reddish-brown fur on the upperparts of their body and yellowish-brown fur underneath. Adult capybaras may reach lengths of about 4.3 ft and stand about 1.6 ft tall. They can weigh as much as 140 lbs. Females are slightly heavier than males. The capybara has slightly webbed feet and no tail. Its front legs are slightly shorter than its back legs.

Diet

The capybara is a grazing herbivore, and eats mostly grasses and aquatic vegetation.

Habitat

The capybara occrus in Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas, Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, northeast Argentina, and Uruguay. Semi-aquatic, capybaras are often found in dense vegetation surrounding lakes, rivers, swamps, marshes, and ponds.

Reproduction

Mating takes place mostly in water. Gestation lasts for a period of about 130 - 150 days, after which time 2 - 8 young are born. The newborns can follow their mother around and eat plants almost immediately after birth, although they still drink milk and are not weaned until about 16 weeks of age. Other females in the group also assist in the rearing of the young.