CreatureData

Capybara vs Lesser capybara

The capybara is heavier: 48.1 kg against 21.3 kg for the lesser capybara, about 2.3 times the weight.

Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)
Capybara LCLeast Concern
Photo: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Lesser capybara (Hydrochoerus isthmius)
Lesser capybara DDData Deficient
Photo: Dick Culbert from Gibsons, B.C., Canada · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

What is the difference between a capybara and a lesser capybara?

Each point below is worked out from a pair of recorded values.

  • The capybara is heavier: 48.1 kg against 21.3 kg for the lesser capybara, about 2.3 times the weight.
  • Both belong to the genus Hydrochoerus, so they are close relatives.
  • The capybara is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List; the lesser capybara is Data Deficient.

Side by side

CapybaraLesser capybara
Scientific nameHydrochoerus hydrochaerisHydrochoerus isthmius
FamilyCaviidaeCaviidae
OrderRodentiaRodentia
Weight48.1 kg – 58.6 kg21.3 kg
LengthNot recordedNot recorded
Lifespan12 yearsNot recorded
Main foodNot recordedNot recorded
Habitatforest, freshwater, grasslandNot recorded
Conservation statusLeast ConcernData Deficient
Countries recordedNot recordedNot recorded

A scale drawing needs a recorded length for both animals; only weights are on record for this pair.

Full record: CapybaraFull record: Lesser capybaraCompare other animals