The capibara is the largest rodent in the world and weighs up to 160 pounds. The capybara is also known as carpincho, chigwire, giant water guinea pig and water hog. The capybara lives in the tall grasslands that border rivers, streams and lakes in tropical South America and Panama. It is never found far from water and is an excellant swimmer which will often leap into water to escape from predators. The capybara has a broad head, a blunt, horse-like nose, small ears and coarse yellowish-brown hair. Its legs are fairly short and its toes are webbed and have hoof like claws.. The capybara is a gentle creature and will make a low clicking sound when it is happy. The capybara eats the succulent stems of tall grasses and aquatic plants. When finished eating the capybara will lie in the sun on the river bank, relaxing. The capybara is the only rodent that lives in small herds and they can generally be found in herds of ten consisting of a male with two or three females and their babies.
The capybara's life span is about ten years, but few of these creatures make it to that age due to predators. Jaguars ans cougars are the main enemies of the capybara but the are also preyed on by large snakes, alligators and eagles.
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