Capybara
Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
LC Least Concern (2016)
The Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), also known as the Greater Capybara or Carpincho, holds the title of the world's largest rodent. It inhabits the grasslands and dense forests of northern and central South America east of the Andes. The only other living species in the genus Hydrochoerus is the Lesser Capybara (Hydrochoerus isthmius), which can be found in eastern Panama and into western Colombia, and northwestern Venezuela. This species is monotypic.
Data sheet
| Taxonomy | |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia (Animals) |
| Phylum | Chordata (Chordates) |
| Class | Mammalia (Mammals) |
| Order | Rodentia (Rodents) |
| Family | Caviidae (Cavies) |
| Subfamily | Hydrochoerinae (Capybara's and Rock Cavies) |
| Type specimen | Sus hydrochæris (Linnaeus, 1766) |
| Type locality | Rio São Francisco, 2 km SW of Penedo, Sergipe, Brazil |
| Translations | |
|---|---|
| Dutch | Capibara |
| French | Grand Capybara |
| German | Wasserschwein |
| Spanish | Capibara |
| Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Head-body lenght | 107–134 cm |
| Tail lenght | 1–2 cm |
| Weight | 35–65 kg |
| Geographic Range | |
|---|---|
| Extant (Resident) | East of Andes in Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and northwestern and eastern Argentina |
| Habitat |
|---|
| 1.6. Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland Forest |
| 2.2. Moist Savanna |
| 5.4. Bogs, Marshes, Swamps, Fens, Peatlands |
Portfolio
Below are some photos from my personal collection. All rights reserved. If you would like to use any of these photos, please contact me first.
Bibliography
Burgin et al. (2020). Illustrated Checklist of the Mammals of the World. Volume 1. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona
Lynx Nature Books. (2023). All the Mammals of the World. Barcelona.
Websites: IUCN Redlist; iNaturalist
Image credits
Header image: Diego Grandi / Shutterstock
Species image: EvergreenPlanet / Shutterstock
Map: IUCN Redlist
Portfolio: Mark Sikking / FotoZoo