Capybara

Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris

### Regions

Venezuela, Columbia, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina, Guyana, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay, Suriname, French Guiana

## Habitat

### Water Area

285 m² +48 m²/ea. add'l
70 m² +12 m²/ea. add'l

### Temperature

0 m²
13‒42 ℃

## Social

### Fem. Bachelor

4‒20 (up to 9 males, up to 19 females)
4‒20
4‒20

### Sterility

1.5 years
Death

### Interbirth

5 months
12 months

## Taxonomy

### Order

Mammalia
Rodentia

### Genus

Caviidae
Hydrochoerus

The **Capybara** (*Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris*) is a large South American rodent featured in the Wetlands Animal Pack DLC for *Planet Zoo*.

## Zoopedia Description

### General

**Population In Wild:** Unknown

The capybara (or Hydrochoerous hydrochaeris) is the world's largest rodent and lives throughout savannahs, forests, and wetlands of South America. Also of note is it's large barrel-like body is covered in coarse brown fur. Capybaras have partially webbed feet to accommodate their semi-aquatic lifestyle, a short vestigial tail, and small ears on their oblong-shaped head. They typically measure between 50cm and 62cm in height and 106cm to 134cm in length. Although similar in size, female capybaras tend to be heavier than males, with an average weight of 61kg for females and 50kg for males.

The capybara is not endangered. It is listed as species of least concern with a stable and widespread population. It is hunted for its fur, skin, and meat, however, and certain local capybara populations are declining as a result. In some regions, capybaras are commercially farmed for their meat

### Social

Capybaras are very social animals, usually congregating in groups of 10 to 20 animals, some groups even reaching up to 100 members. In rare instances, some individuals may also live alone. Within a group, there are usually twice as many females as males

### Reproduction

In large groups of capybaras,  males follow a dominant structure, with the most dominant male usually being the heaviest of the herd. The dominant male will attempt to monopolize mating but rarely is successful, though subordinate males will usually secure fewer mates the further down the hierarchy they are. When a female is in oestrus, males will follow her closely, and in case of competition, will engage in dominance displays and fights to chase off rivals. Capybaras will usually mate in water

Pregnancies last between 130 to 150 days. The female gives birth to an average litter size of 4. In capybaras, alloparenting is observed, which means that pups may nurse from several females in a group instead of exclusively relying on their mother. Capybara pups are weaned by 3 to 4 months old.

## Animal Care

 FEEDING STATIONS
 FOOD ENRICHMENT
Melon Feeder · Small Barrel Feeder · Underwater Plant Feeder
Hot Water Tap · Plant Screen · Rubber Duck · Small Ball Colourful · Small Ball · Small Ice Ball · Sprinkler · Submarine Buoy · Water Jet · Water Jet Rock

## Trivia

### Zoopedia Facts

* The name capybara has evolved from the old Tupi word 'Kapi'lûara' meaning 'grass-eater', with Spanish and Portuguese influence in the early 17th century
* The capybara is the largest living rodent in the world
* Capybaras can hold their breath underwater for 5 minutes
* Capybaras have a scent gland, called morillo, on their nose, which is specially pronounced on the male
* Capybaras can run speeds up to 35km/h

### Other Trivia

* The Capybara was revealed during the Special Spa Day Live Stream.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1439342338