S. America, east of the Andes, from Panama to N. Argentina. Reddish or yellow brown in colour. Toes are connected by short web membrane and have hoof-like nails.
Males have a prominent scent gland on the bridge of their nose.
IN THE WILD Capybara live in family groups or small herds of up to 20 individuals. A typical group consists of a dominant male, several females and their young, and a few subordinate males. They inhabit areas ranging from grassland to rainforest over much of S. America and always remain near water. During the dry season, many of the groups gather around the remaining pools of water to form large, temporary groups of up to 100 animals. They feed during the early evening and throughout the night on grass, water plants and bark.