Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) are the world’s largest rodent and are semi aquatic. These strong swimmers have their eyes, nostrils and ears set in alignment across the top of their head, so that their faces remain exposed and alert to danger, whilst the rest of the body remains submerged.
Capybara are predated on by jaguar, puma and caiman. Safety in numbers, they can be found in very large groups of 40 – 100 individuals. Capybara inhabit dense vegetation near rivers, lakes and marshes.
Like other rodents, Capybaras teeth grow continuously – they get worn down by grazing on grasses and aquatic plants. Their closest relatives are the guinea pig!