Updated: Sep 1
The best way to see Capybara in Paraty is on a kayak tour as they tend to live in or near bodies of water, including rivers and mangroves,
But what is a Capybara?
The Capybara is the largest (and chillest!!!) living rodent in the world.
With billions of views on TikTok, capybaras are frequently featured in videos set to catchy music, such as the "Capybara Song." They are portrayed as "living furniture" or affectionate friends to other species (e.g., birds, turtles, monkeys), creating wholesome, viral content. In recent years, they’ve become among the internet’s most famous animals.
Spotting Capybaras in Paraty
Back in the real world, these semiaquatic mammals, native to all countries in South America except Chile, can be found in Paraty. These days, they are most frequently spotted on a branch of the Pereque-Acu river near Jabaquara beach. The best way to observe them is by kayak.
Want to find out more about Capybaras? Then read on...
What's in a Name?
The name Capybara comes from the TUPI indigenous language and means ‘grass-eater’. As a herbivore, it eats mainly grasses and aquatic plants. They tend to live in or near bodies of water.
Happy Water Pigs - the Latin name of Capybara is Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, which loosely translates as Happy Water Pigs. The genus Hydrochoerus (water pig) and species hydrochaeris (water-loving/happy) highlight their love for swimming and habitats like swamps, rivers, and marshes.
Fun Facts About Capybaras
How big are the Capybara? The Capybara can be up to 60 cm tall and 130 cm long, and typically weighs between 35 kg and 66 kg. The females are slightly heavier than the males, and the record goes to a Brazilian Capybara who weighed in at 91 kg. This makes them the biggest rodents!
They are excellent swimmers with slightly webbed feet. Capybaras can spend up to 5 minutes underwater to hide from predators like the jaguar.
They can sleep in water without drowning. They sometimes rest in water with just their noses sticking out. This helps them stay cool and safe from predators at the same time.
They eat their own poop (on purpose). Like many herbivores, capybaras practice coprophagy. The first round of digestion isn’t very efficient, so they re-eat special soft droppings to absorb more nutrients.
They mostly communicate with chirps, whistles, huffs, and purrs but can make dog-like barks when feeling threatened.
They’ve become internet icons for “vibe culture.” While not a biological fact, their calm, unbothered demeanor has made them a symbol of relaxation across social media—basically the mascot of “just chilling.”
Join Us for an Adventure!
These are just a few of the fascinating facts about Capybaras. Find out more with our guides on our popular kayak tour to Mangrove, Beaches and Islands, where we often see Capybaras. It’s important to let us know of your specific interest in seeing Capybaras so we can adjust the route to maximise your chances of seeing these amazing animals in their natural habitat.
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