Capybara during Pantanal night safari

The capybara is the largest extant rodent in the world. Its closest relatives are agouti, chinchillas, coyphillas, and guinea pigs. Native to South America, the capybara inhabits savannas and dense forests and lives near bodies of water. It is a highly social species and can be found in groups as large as 100 individuals, but usually lives in groups of 10 - 20 individuals. The capybara is not a threatened species, though it is hunted for its meat and skin.