{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "capybara",
  "name": "Capybara",
  "scientificName": "Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris",
  "category": "Mammal",
  "summary": "The capybara is the largest living rodent, a barrel-shaped, semi-aquatic herbivore from the wetlands and grasslands of South America. Adults can weigh up to 65 kg (143 lb) and stand about 0.6 m (2 ft) tall, with partially webbed feet for swimming. Highly social, capybaras live in groups near water, grazing on grasses and aquatic plants, and are known for their remarkably calm, friendly demeanor. In the wild they typically live 8 to 10 years.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Mammalia",
    "order": "Rodentia",
    "family": "Caviidae",
    "genus": "Hydrochoerus"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 55,
    "lengthM": 1.2,
    "topSpeedKmh": 35,
    "lifespanYears": 9
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Herbivore (grazer)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Wetlands, riverbanks, and grasslands"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "8–10 years in the wild"
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "35–65 kg (77–143 lb)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "Up to 35 km/h (22 mph)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Least Concern (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Wetlands, riverbanks, and grasslands across much of South America east of the Andes.",
    "continents": [
      "South America"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "IUCN Red List — Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris.",
      "url": "https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Hydrochoerus%20hydrochaeris&searchType=species"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Animal Diversity Web — Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.",
      "url": "https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Hydrochoerus_hydrochaeris/"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Wikipedia — Capybara.",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capybara"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/capybara/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/capybara/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}