The Biggest Rodent

Rhett A. Butler / mongabay.com
The Biggest Rodent: Capybera (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

Capybara are closely related to the guinea pig, and are the biggest of the rodents. The capybara lives in the savannas and dense forest of South America, near bodies of water. They are very picky eaters, who mainly graze on grasses and aquatic plants. The typical capybara weighs around 108 pounds, but the biggest on record weighed a whopping 200 pounds As a very social species, capybara normally live in groups of 10-20, although they have been found in groups numbering up to 100. Although it is hunted by natural predators and by humans for its skin and meat, the capybara is ranked as a low concern species by the IUCN

Mammal / Rodent

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