Capybaras (Hydrochoerus spp.) Fact Sheet: Managed Care

• Capybara raised in managed care have higher survival rates than those in wild
• Females in managaed care reach sexual maturity later than in wild (26 vs. 18 months)
• Capybaras bred in many zoos; also commercially bred in South America for meat and skins
• Behavior changes in managed care at high density
• Some populations managed in natural areas

Image credit: © San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved.

Capybaras at the San Diego Zoo.

Watch how members of this capybara family move and forage.

© San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved.

Chapman (1991)
Nogueira et al (1999)