What is the largest rodent species kept in many modern zoos?

The capybara is the largest rodent species kept in many modern zoos.

Native to South America, capybaras are semi-aquatic mammals that live near rivers, marshes, flooded grasslands, and lakes. Adults can reach about 1.3 metres in length and weigh more than 60 kilograms, although size varies by sex and region. Their partially webbed feet help them move through water, while their eyes, ears, and nostrils sit high on the head.

Capybaras are herbivores that mainly eat grasses and other vegetation. They are highly social and commonly live in groups, sometimes numbering dozens during favourable seasons. Their closest living relatives include guinea pigs and rock cavies, not beavers, which belong to a different rodent family.

In zoos, pools and shaded areas are important because capybaras use water for cooling, escape, and rest. They can also share peaceful enclosures with some compatible water-loving species.