Habitat
Capybaras are found in Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Northeast Argentina and Uruguay.
They are semi-aquatic and will spend most of their time in dense vegetation around rivers, lakes, ponds, marshes and swamps.
Feeding mostly in the afternoon, and on and off at night, capybaras tend to doze in the morning.
They take short naps throughout the day while other members of their group stand guard.
They are superb swimmers and can hold their breath underwater for up to five minutes at a time. Capybara have flourished in cattle ranches.
They roam in home ranges averaging 10 hectares (25 acres) in high-density populations.
Predators
Capybaras are naturally threatened by jaguars, caimans and anacondas, and their young can be taken by ocelots and harpy eagles.
Their main threat, however, is humans — they are hunted extensively for their meat and their hide, which can be made into leather.
In some countries, the practice of farming capybaras has sprung up, relieving some of the pressure on wild populations.
As with all rainforest inhabitants, deforestation also poses a threat.