Capybara - The World’s Largest Rodent

By: Joseph Wells

The capybara is the largest member of the rodent family. This animal can grow up to 4 feet long and many full grown capybaras may weigh more than 100 pounds. A capybara has feet that are partially webbed, very large deposits of fat in its skin, and a thin coat of brown hair. A typical description of the rodent is that it looks like a very large guinea pig. This description is very accurate in the fact that both guinea pigs and capybaras are members of the Family Caviidae (Burton 526). Both the guinea pig and capybara originated in Peru. Due to the portable size of the guinea-pig it was easily introduced throughout the world; the larger capybara mainly has remained in its land of origin. While there are many similarities of the two species, the capybara truly has its own unique characteristics. This large rodent is surprisingly “essentially aquatic in habit, and lives in bands by rivers and lakes in tropical America,” according to the New Larousse Encyclopedia of Animal Life (527). The capybara uses its swimming abilities to dive into the water and escape danger from larger land predators. It also uses swimming skills for feeding, since the capybara mainly consumes aquatic vegetation and some fruits. The capybara is diurnal, but when exposed to more human hunting these creatures became more active at night. The World Book Encyclopedia says that the capybara is “the favorite food of jaguars, alligators, and human beings” (201).
Celso Hidalgo Riz, a guide for Explorama travel group and native of the Amazon River Basin in Peru said that capybara meat is a favorite for many people throughout the area. The meat is very tender and flavorful and is perhaps the most sought after wild animal meat in the area. According to the Ecotraveller’s Wildlife Guide of Peru, the capybara is the common meat for Easter dinners in Peru (218). Do not fear though that wild capybaras are going to be completely eaten up for Easter dinners. Capybaras are heavily raised in captivity specifically for this market’s demands. Also, domestication of the capybara increases its fertility which in turn increases more food for the Peruvian people. In the wild, female capybaras generally birth between three and eight babies in a litter. One litter a year is born to a female and the young are quickly self sufficient (527).
Upon encountering this large rodent, the capybara seemed to act very similar to a dog. Our group had the privilege of witnessing a docile capybara roll over while being petted, no different than the actions of a common domesticated puppy. Maybe one day the domestication of capybaras will become as popular world-wide, as that of its relative, the guinea pig.

Works Cited

Burton, Maurice, ed. The New Larousse Encyclopedia of Animal Life. Hong Kong:
Hamlyn, 1989.

Pearson, David and Les Beletsky. The Ecotraveller’s Wildlife Guide of Peru. London:
Academic Press, 2001.

Riz, Celso Hidalgo. Personal Interview. 8 Jan 2003.

Taylor, Richard. “Capybara.” The World Book Encyclopedia. 1990 ed.