Which Amazonian animal is the world’s largest living rodent?

The capybara is the world’s largest living rodent and is native to much of the Amazonian region.

Adult capybaras have stocky bodies, partially webbed feet, and eyes, ears, and nostrils positioned high on the head. These adaptations help them spend substantial time in rivers, ponds, flooded forests, and wetlands. They are herbivores that feed mainly on grasses and aquatic vegetation.

Capybaras are highly social and commonly live in groups. They are closely related to guinea pigs and rock cavies, not to pigs, despite their name and pig-like shape. Their scientific name is Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris.

The species occurs across much of South America, including Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Venezuela, and the Guianas. It is larger than the North American beaver and the South American nutria, both of which are sometimes mistakenly called giant rodents.