Capybaras

• Buy a capybara in the US
• Scientific Name: Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
• Size: Up to 1.3 meters (4.3 feet) long and 79 kg (174 lbs)
• Lifespan: 8–10 years in the wild
• Habitat: Found near lakes, rivers, swamps, and tropical wetlands across South America—from Panama to Argentina

🌿 Behavior & Lifestyle

• Social Creatures: Live in groups of 10–20, but can form super-herds of up to 100 individuals2
• Semi-Aquatic: Excellent swimmers with webbed toes and high-set eyes, ears, and nose for aquatic vigilance
• Daily Routine: Feed in the morning and evening; rest under cover during the day

🍃 Diet & Ecology

• Herbivores: Munch on grasses, aquatic plants, fruits, and tree bark
• Selective Eaters: Known to focus on one species of grass while ignoring others
• Teeth: Continuously growing—perfect for grinding down tough vegetation

🐾 Reproduction

• Gestation: 100–110 days
• Litter Size: 3–8 pups per year
• Parental Care: Young are precocial and join the group quickly after birth

🛡️ Conservation & Human Interaction

• Status: Listed as Least Concern by the IUCN
• Threats: Hunted for meat, hide, and grease from their thick skin
• Domestication: In some regions, capybaras are raised or kept as exotic pets

🧠 Fun & Surprising Facts

• Can hold their breath for up to 5 minutes underwater
• Sometimes, they nap submerged, with just their noses poking out
• Can run up to 35 km/h on land—almost as fast as a rabbit
• Surprisingly, they can get scurvy if not fed vitamin C-rich foods

And yes—they’ve become internet darlings for their calm demeanor and unexpected friendships with animals like ducks, cats, and even crocodiles.

Here’s a selection of capybara images to show off their serene charm: (Image card incoming!)