Capybara in Argentina. Photograph © Carla Antonini, published under the Creative Commons licence.

Capybara Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris

The Capybara is the world's largest rodent, with adults reaching a length of 130 cm (4.3 ft), and weighing up to 65 kg. Capybaras can be found across Central and South America, where they spend their lives in forested areas - or in the water: capybaras are excellent swimmers. They can stay submerged for up to five minutes, which helps them evade predators, and can even sleep underwater, with the nose kept at the water surface.

Capybaras are classified as Least Concern by IUCN. (See IUCN Red List of Threatened Species for more information on the classification of the Capybara)

Help Protect the Capybara and Other Wildlife in South America

Please help protect Capybara habitat by saving acres in Soth America with the World Land Trust.

More information on the habitats of the Capybara

Capybaras occur in several of the World Land Trust's conservation project areas:

• Learn more about WLT's work in Brazil
• Learn more about WLT's work in Ecuador
• Learn more about WLT's work in Mexico
• Learn more about WLT's work in Paraguay