Capybara — printable fact sheet
Free to print or save as PDF. Great for classrooms, homeschooling, and young explorers.
Creature Atlas
Animal Fact Sheet
Name: ____________________
Date: ____________________
Capybara
Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
The capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) is the largest rodent in the world, weighing between 35 to 66 kilograms and reaching lengths of up to 1.3 meters. Indigenous to South America, it is found in every country on the continent except Chile, thriving in a variety of habitats f…
Did you know?
- Capybaras are so tolerant and friendly that many other animals, including birds and monkeys, are often seen sitting on their backs in the wild.
- Capybaras can hold their breath underwater for up to five minutes, an ability that helps them evade predators like jaguars and caimans. Despite their size, capybaras are surprisingly agile and can run as fast as a horse over short distances. In a peculiar symbiotic relationship, capybaras often serve as perches for birds, such as cattle egrets, which feed on insects disturbed by the capybara's movements. Contrary to the common misconception that they are solitary, capybaras are highly social animals, often seen in large groups that can include dozens of individuals during the dry season.
What I learned
Draw the capybara
© Creature Atlas · www.creatureatlas.com · Free for classroom & personal use
Want the whole set?
Get printable fact-sheet packs, coloring pages, and classroom worksheet bundles for dozens of animals — ready to download and print.
Browse printable packsGet a free printable each week
Join the newsletter for a new Creature of the Week + printables.