Capybaras are the largest member of the rodent family. They are native to grasslands, rainforests and wetlands across South America. They are semi-aquatic animals, equipped with webbing between their toes to help them swim. They can also submerge themselves in water for up to 5 minutes.
Capybaras are herbivores meaning they eat grasses, other vegetation and fruits in the wild. They are a highly social animal, living in large groups of up to 40 individuals in the wild. Capybaras can be very vocal and communicate using a series of barks, clicks, whistles and purrs. Their average lifespan is 10-12 years. They are currently classed as ‘least concern’ on the IUCN red list but are threatened by hunting and collection for the illegal pet trade.
