Class: Mammalia

Order: Rodentia

Scientific Name: Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris

Range: Northern South America east of the Andes

Habitat: Dense vegetated marshes and swamps or wooded areas around lakes and rivers

Diet: Wild: Aquatic plants, grass, cereal, fruit, melons Zoo: Alfalfa hay, Guinea Pig Chow, apples, vitamin supplement, bread

Gestation: 150 days

Litter: 4-5

Description: Length appx. 4 feet, height about 21 inches, weight 110-150 lbs. The capybara has a massive body set on short legs, and an oblong head extending from a short neck. This is the world’s largest rodent. Despite the great contrast in size, the capybara’s closest relative is the guinea pig. Male and female look alike, in coats of long, coarse reddish-brown, gray, or yellowish-brown hair. They have no tail. Water-loving, water-dwelling creatures, their scientific name means “water pigs”. They walk in digitigrade fashion (on their toes), and have 4 toes on the front feet and three on the hind feet, connected by short webbed membranes.The capybara’s response to danger is to run to water, where they display good swimming and diving abilities. Their predators on land are jaguars and cougars. In the water caimans are a threat. They are social animals, living in herds of 50 to 100.

Did You Know?

Where in the Zoo? I can be found in the RainForest Aviary & Surrounding Exhibits at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.