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capybara walking outside in habitat
All Animals

Capybara

The capybara is the largest rodent in the world! It’s related to the guinea pig, but capybara are six times as large and weigh 50 times as much.

Stable
Threatened
Endangered

Animal Facts

Scientific Name

Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris

Range

Forests, wetlands and savannah across many parts of South America; they always live near bodies of water.

Location in the Zoo

South America’s Pantanal

Cool Animal Fact

Though quite agile on land, capybaras are equally at home in the water; they are excellent swimmers.