10 Amazing Facts You Didn’t Know About Capybaras

Meet the Capybara, the world’s largest, calmest, and most famously social rodent! These gentle giants are the heart of their South American ecosystems and are packed with amazing facts that challenge everything you thought you knew about rodents. They're full of surprises, and we're here to share 10 amazing facts about them. Plus, if you're as charmed by the Capybara's chill vibes as we are, you'll love our adorable Capybara Stickers—a perfect way to bring their universally friendly charm to your laptop, water bottle, or anywhere you need a little dose of calm!

1. They are the World’s Largest Rodents

Capybaras are the undisputed heavyweights of the rodent family. They can grow up to four feet long and weigh as much as an average adult human (up to 174 pounds!), making them far larger than their cousins, the guinea pigs.

2. They Are Semi-Aquatic Masters

Capybaras are so dependent on water that their scientific name, Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, means "water hog." They are always found near rivers, marshes, or ponds, which they use to escape predators and cool down.

3. They Can Sleep Underwater

When threatened or seeking to stay cool, a capybara can submerge itself almost entirely, keeping only its eyes, ears, and nostrils (which are high on its head, like a hippo) above the surface to breathe. They can even nap this way!

4. Their Toes are Partially Webbed

Their feet are equipped with partial webbing between the toes, which helps them swim powerfully and maneuver easily through soft mud and shallow waters.

5. They are Highly Social and Live in Herds

Capybaras are rarely found alone. They are highly gregarious animals that live in stable family groups, typically consisting of 10 to 20 individuals, often led by a dominant male.

6. They Practice "Nature’s Shared Nursery"

When the young are born, they are precocial (born well-developed). All the females in the group will nurse the pups indiscriminately, sharing the communal duty of raising the young.

7. They Get Along with Everyone

Capybaras are famously tranquil and are often photographed resting with a variety of other animals, including monkeys, birds, and even caimans. They have earned the nicknames "Nature’s Ottoman" and "The Friendliest Animal in the World."

8. They Eat Their Own Poop (For Vitamins!)

Capybaras practice coprophagy (eating their own feces) in the morning. This is a crucial dietary habit that helps them re-digest tough grasses and aquatic plants to absorb beneficial bacteria and necessary nutrients they missed the first time around.

9. Their Teeth Never Stop Growing

Like other rodents, their large, razor-sharp incisors and cheek teeth continuously grow throughout their lives. Constant grazing on rough vegetation wears the teeth down and keeps them from becoming too long.

10. They Can Run as Fast as a Horse

Despite their hefty, barrel-shaped bodies and short legs, capybaras are surprisingly agile on land. When fleeing a predator, they can gallop at speeds comparable to a horse over short distances.

Why These Amazing Capybaras Deserve More Love

Capybaras are a reminder of the power of community and peace in the animal kingdom. They are not just fascinating—they are a global symbol of tranquility and acceptance, thriving through cooperation and chill vibes.

If you’re as enchanted by Capybaras as we are, check out our Capybara Stickers! They’re the perfect way to bring a little bit of the world's calmest rodent into your daily life.

Sources

• Capybara | Description, Behavior, & Facts — Encyclopædia Britannica

• Capybara Fact Sheet — PBS Nature

• Meet the capybara: Gentle giants of South America — One Earth

• Capybara | Rainforest Alliance — Rainforest Alliance

• 10 Facts About Capybaras: The World's Largest Rodents — Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

• Capybara | San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants — San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

• Facts About Capybaras — Live Science