Meet the Capybara
is a giant cavy rodent native to South America. It is the largest living rodent. Its close relatives include guinea pigs and Rock cavies, and it is more distantly related to the agouti, the chinchilla, and the nutria.
Park Location: Animal Walkabout
About the Capybara
| Conservation Status | Least Concern |
| Height | 19.7 – 24.4 Inches (50 – 62 cm) |
| Length | 41.7 – 52.8 Inches (106 – 134 cm) |
| Weight | 77 – 145.2 lbs (35 – 66 kg) |
| Diet | Capybaras are herbivores. As grazers, these rodents primarily consume grasses and aquatic plants, complementing their diet with bark and fruits. Being coprophagous, they are re-ingest the previous day’s food. |
| Gestation Period | 150 Days |
| Life Span | 6 – 12 Years |
| Top Speed | 22 mph (35 kn/h) |
| Threats | Deforestation, habitat destruction and illegal poaching are the largest threats to capybaras. |
