This is a list of the largest rodents. ^ Mones, Alvaro; Ojasti, Juhani (16 June 1986). "Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris Brisson 1762". Mammalian Species (264): 1–7. doi: 10.2307/3503784. JSTOR 3503784. S2CID 250991487.

The capybara[a] or greater capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) is the largest living rodent, [2] native to South America. It is a member of the genus Hydrochoerus. The only other extant member is the lesser capybara (Hydrochoerus isthmius).

Feb 29, 2024 · The largest rodent in the world is the capybara. These adorably large rodents can stand up to 2 feet tall, 3 to 4 feet long, and weigh up to 150 pounds or more! However, they are also calm and friendly animals that are well-known for their social, outgoing personalities. Capybaras have shaggy light brown hair and live in Central and South America.

Nov 2, 2024 · Whether they are burrowers, swimmers, or agile climbers, these rodents have evolved remarkable traits that set them apart from their smaller relatives. In this article, we’ll explore 18 of the largest rodents in the world, highlighting their characteristics and habitats.

4 days ago · But which rodents are the biggest? We’ll explore some of the largest living rodents in the world today—along with a couple of their ancestors—so you can truly see the breadth of their existence. 1. Capybara. The capybara is currently considered the largest living rodent in …

Feb 28, 2025 · Meet the largest living rodent: the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris). The largest adult capybaras can reach up to 150 pounds (68 kilograms) and measure around 4 feet (1.2 meters) in body length. These semiaquatic giant rodents are neotropical fauna, thriving in the tropical, seasonally flooded grasslands of Central and South America.

Apr 25, 2017 · Rodents are the single biggest group of mammals with about 1500 species recorded. The most known rodents are rats and mice, but there are giant rodents spread in different ecological zones and regions, around the world.

6 days ago · The Largest Rat: Gambian Pouched Rat. While not nearly the size of the capybara, the Gambian pouched rat is the world’s largest rat reaching up to 9 pounds, measuring between 20-35 inches in length (including tail), while the average size is 3 pounds. Native to Africa, this large rat demonstrates how broad the family of rodents really is.

Now extinct, Josephoartigasia is the largest rodent ever known, with fossils indicating that it could reach up to 10 feet in length and weigh more than 2,000 pounds. This prehistoric giant lived in South America during the Pliocene epoch, approximately 4 million years ago.

Mar 3, 2025 · The Capybara is the world’s largest rodent, measuring up to 4.3 feet (1.3 meters) in length and weighing up to 145 pounds (66 kg.) Despite its size, the Capybara is a skilled swimmer, able to hold its breath for up to five minutes as it dives into the water to forage for food.