a group of four capybara cubs drinking water from a pond — Capybara Cubs | Photo by Daniel Dolan

Few animals on the planet inspire the same universal love as the capybara. These chilled-out creatures have become internet darlings, often seen lounging in hot springs with monkeys on their backs or calmly munching grass while surrounded by chaos. Definetely one of the most iconic animals of Brazil. There are two species of capybaras: the greater capybara and the lesser capybara. But while their friendly demeanor is well-documented, for many people one question still comes up time and time again: Are capybaras rodents?

So, Is a Capybara a Rodent?

Yes, capybaras are rodents, in fact, they hold the title for the largest rodent in the world. Scientifically known as Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, capybaras belong to the order Rodentia, the same group that includes rats, mice, guinea pigs, and yes, even hamsters. Despite their unusual size (they can weigh up to 80 kg or 176 pounds), they’re 100% rodent.

Here are a few rodent-like features they share with other rodents:

Continuously growing incisors
Herbivorous diet
Gnawing behavior. Their long, sharp teeth are essential for gnawing and maintaining their continuously growing incisors.
High reproductive rates

Capybara pups reach sexual maturity at approximately 15 months of age.

So, to answer the question once and for all: Are capybaras considered rodents? Absolutely.

Where Do Capybaras Live?

Capybaras are native to Central and South America, thriving in countries like Pantanal in Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Argentina, and Uruguay. If you’re wondering where capybaras live, the answer is pretty straightforward: wherever there’s water. They thrive in grassy regions bordering rivers and densely forested areas, which provide both food and shelter.

These semi-aquatic mammals are always found near bodies of water such as lakes, swamps, marshes, and rivers. Their webbed feet and love of swimming make them uniquely adapted to aquatic life, and they often submerge themselves to escape predators or cool off. Capybaras frequently spend their time in shallow water to wallow and keep cool, particularly during the hottest parts of the day. Due to their dry skin, capybaras require access to water sources to maintain their health and well-being.

Here are 10 facts about capybaras:

an aerial photo of a river surrounded by jungle in pantanal, brazil — Panatanal, Brazil | Photo by Fernando Quevedo

1. Capybaras Are the Largest Rodents on Earth

If you ever imagined a guinea pig supersized to the extreme, you’d be picturing a capybara. Weighing more than a golden retriever and measuring up to four feet in length, the average weight of a capybara is around 110 pounds. They dwarf their rodent cousins. Their fur is typically light brown and characterized by shaggy hair, adding to their distinctive appearance. Capybaras have slightly webbed feet that aid in swimming and escaping from predators. Additionally, they have small, hairless ears positioned high on their heads, allowing them to stay alert while most of their bodies are submerged in water. So if you’ve been asking, what is the largest rodent?—look no further.

2. They’re Surprisingly Good Swimmers

Don’t let their stocky build fool you. Capybaras are excellent swimmers and can hold their breath underwater for up to five minutes. Their partially webbed feet make them adept swimmers, allowing them to navigate through water with ease. Their eyes, ears, and nostrils are located high on their heads, similar to a hippo or crocodile, allowing them to stay underwater while keeping most of their body submerged.

a capybara mom with 4 cubs swimming — Capyras are excellent swimmers | Photo by Paola, Getty Images

3. They Love Company

Capybaras are incredibly social animals. In the wild, they typically reside in small groups consisting of around 10 individuals, though larger groups of up to 100 have been observed during dry seasons when water sources are scarce. These communities have complex social hierarchies and cooperative behaviors that help them thrive. Each group typically has a dominant male, several females, and subordinate males, all working together to ensure the group’s survival. The social structure of these groups, including the roles of the dominant male, females, and subordinate males, is crucial for their psychological and physical well-being, as they rely on companionship and social structures to thrive.

three capybaras on a grassfield — Capybaras are incredibly social animals | Photo by Michel Viard

4. Capybaras Communicate With an Entire Vocal Repertoire

You might not expect it, but these mellow mammals are actually quite vocal. Capybaras use a range of sounds to communicate, including:

Barks
Whistles
Clicks
Grunts
Purrs

Each sound conveys different information, from alerting the group to danger to bonding between mothers and pups.

a pair of capybaras fighting on a river — Capybaras can be very vocal | Photo by David Atkin

5. They’re Plant-Based Pros

As strict herbivores, capybaras eat a variety of plants, including grasses, aquatic vegetation, fruit, and tree bark. Capybaras eat grass as a primary part of their diet. They even eat their own feces (called coprophagy) to obtain beneficial bacteria, which help their stomach break down the thick fiber present in their plant-based diet. This behavior helps them maximize nutrient absorption from hard-to-digest grasses. Nature is weird, but effective. As grass eaters, they chew food by grinding it back and forth, which helps them break down tough plant materials.

capybara eating a leaf from a bush — Capybaras are strict herbivores | Getty Images

6. Capybara Lifespan Varies by Environment

In the wild, the capybara lifespan is usually around 8 to 12 years, though they tend to live longer in captivity—sometimes up to 15 years. Factors like predators, disease, and habitat degradation all affect longevity in the wild.

7. Capybaras Are Surprisingly Zen Around Other Animals

From monkeys to cats, birds to crocodiles, capybaras get along with just about everyone. However, they must remain vigilant as young capybaras are vulnerable to predators like black vultures, harpy eagles, and small cats. This non-aggressive nature makes them the ultimate chill companion in the animal kingdom. There’s a reason they’ve gone viral as the world’s most peaceful animals.

ai image generated of a capybara and a caiman next to each other — Capybaras are very chill with most animals

8. Capybaras Are Related to Guinea Pigs

It’s true! Despite their size, capybaras are closely related to guinea pigs and rock cavies. Both belong to the Caviidae family, though capybaras are in their own genus (Hydrochoerus). Capybaras are also distantly related to chinchillas and agoutis. So if you’re wondering, is a capybara a type of hamster? Not quite—but it is a cousin to your childhood pet guinea pig.

9. They’ve Adapted to Urban Life in Some Areas in South America

In parts of South America, especially Brazil, capybaras have become common sights in urban parks and even city streets. Their ability to adapt to human-modified environments is both impressive and a challenge for conservationists.

Group of three Capybaras next to a lake and a cit — Capybaras have adapted to urban areas | Photo by Pedro Mora

10. Rodent Capybaras Have Become Cultural Icons

From memes to merchandise, the capybara has become a symbol of peace, chill vibes, and low-key rebellion. They’re also featured in folklore, pop culture, and traditional indigenous stories throughout Latin America.

Conservation Status and Captivity: Challenges and Efforts

Capybaras are currently listed as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, but this doesn’t mean they are free from threats. Their populations are declining due to habitat destruction, illegal poaching, and the introduction of non-native species. Additionally, capybaras are sometimes utilized as a food source by local populations. These factors highlight the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these unique creatures. Adult female capybaras typically produce one litter of young per year. The breeding habits of adult females include a gestation period and the vulnerability of newborn pups. The jaguar is the one main natural predator of adult capybaras. Access to water is essential for capybaras to stay healthy.

Conservationists are working hard to safeguard capybara habitats and reduce human-capybara conflicts. Initiatives include creating protected areas and launching education programs for local communities to raise awareness about the importance of capybaras in their ecosystems. For instance, the San Diego Zoo has a successful capybara breeding program and offers educational programs to inform the public about these fascinating animals and the need for their conservation. During the wet season, larger groups of capybaras form as food and water become more abundant, and breeding peaks. In contrast, during the dry season, capybaras adapt their diet by eating reeds, grains, melons, and squashes when fresh grasses and water plants are scarce.

The greater capybara is classified as of Least Concern by the IUCN, while there is insufficient data to evaluate the conservation status of the lesser capybara. This highlights the varying levels of knowledge and protection needed for different capybara species.

Are Capybaras Rodents? Absolutely.

So, are capybaras rodents? Without a doubt. But they’re also so much more than that. These gentle giants break all the stereotypes associated with rodents. They’re calm, social, intelligent, and surprisingly relatable—maybe that’s why we love them so much.

Whether you came here wondering about the rodent capybara or just looking for a wholesome dose of animal facts, we hope you’ve learned something new about these aquatic-loving, social butterflies of the rodent world. Next time someone asks, “Are capybaras considered rodents?” you can hit them with the science and the fun facts.

Are Capybaras Rodents? Ten Facts About Capybaras