Habitat
Rivers, lakes, and wetlands
Amazon Heroes collection
Capybara
Scientific name: Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
Try this
Mini mission: draw a capybara family resting near the water.
Diet
Plant-eater -- grasses and aquatic plants.
Ecosystem role
As the world's largest rodent, generally considered an important prey species and grazer in wetland ecosystems.
Fun fact
Capybaras are the largest rodents in the world and are excellent swimmers.
Where it lives
- Continent
- Americas
- Region
- Amazon Basin and much of South America
- Environment
- Rivers, lakes, and wetlands
Did you know?
- A capybara's eyes, ears, and nose sit high on its head, so it can stay almost completely underwater and still see, hear, and breathe.
- Capybaras are famous for their calm temperament -- birds and other animals often perch right on their backs to pick off bugs.
Test what you learned
What is special about the capybara's size?
Why are a capybara's eyes, ears, and nose positioned high on its head?
Why do birds sometimes sit on a capybara's back?
