Kingdom Animalia Order Rodentia Subfamily Hydrochoerinae Height Capybara: 50 – 64 cm Gestation period Capybara: 130 – 150 days Rank Genus | Phylum Chordata Family Caviidae Scientific name Hydrochoerus Mass Capybara: 35 – 66 kg Higher classification Hydrochoerinae | |
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Similar Rodent, Mammal, Lesser capybara, Cavies, Mara | ||
The genus Hydrochoerus contains two living species of capybaras from South America and Panama, the largest living rodents in the world. The genus name is derived from the Greek ὕδωρ (hýdor, water) plus χοίρος (choíros, pig).
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Characteristics
Capybaras are semiaquatic, found in and near lakes, rivers, swamps and flooded savanna. Their diets are dominated by grasses. Adults weigh up to 65 kg (140 lb). The gestation period is 130–150 days, with two to eight (most commonly four) young born to females.
Behavior
Capybaras are highly social, living in groups of up to 100 and communicating through a variety of vocalizations. Breeding is polygynous, with males forming harems.
Phylogeny and taxonomy
Molecular results have consistently suggested Hydrochoerus is most closely related to Kerodon (the rock cavies), and the two evolved from within the Caviidae. This led Woods and Kilpatrick to unite the two into the subfamily Hydrochoerinae within Caviidae. Based on use of a molecular clock approach, Hydrochoerus appears to have diverged from Kerodon in the late Middle Miocene (about 12 million years ago).
The extinct North American species formerly recognized as Hydrochoerus holmesi is now assigned to Neochoerus.