Range: South and Central America, east of the Andes, to northern Argentina.
Habitat: Near ponds, lakes, rivers, or swamps in woods with thick undergrowth.
Description: Largest rodent; 4 ft. long, 100-150 lbs.; large head with square blunt muzzle; very short tail; webbed feet; thin coarse brown or gray hair; small membranous ears; ears, eyes and nostrils all on level plane so they can remain above surface level of water while rest of body is submerged. Nicknamed "swamp hogs."
Adaptations/Habitat: Capybaras are dependent on water and are well adapted to it. They swim and dive freely and can stay submerged quite a long time. They also wallow in water to protect skin from hot sun. If disturbed they invariably seek refuge by diving into the water, where they hide with their body completely submerged. They are not nocturnal animals in the true sense, but because they are hunted they are wary and only come out at dawn and dusk to browse. They use hollow shallow beds, and do not dig burrows. Like all rodents, they must chew and gnaw to wear down continually growing teeth. They live in groups of about 20 adults.
