AnAge entry for Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris

Classification (HAGRID: 02863)

Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia
    Phylum: Chordata
        Class: Mammalia (Taxon entry)
            Order: Rodentia
                Family: Caviidae
                    Genus: Hydrochoerus
Species
Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
Common name
Capybara
Synonyms
Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris

Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits

Maximum longevity
15.1 years (captivity)
Source
ref. 671
Sample size
Large
Data quality
High
Observations

The biggest rodent, the capybara is relatively short-lived for its body size. One study in the wild reported a high juvenile mortality, particularly in the first year of life, resulting in a life expectancy at birth of shortly over one year. The oldest females found in the same study were 6 years of age and the oldest males were 7 years of age [0747]. Other estimates and anecdotal reports suggest these animals may live up to 10 years in the wild [0434]. One captive specimen lived for 15.1 years [0671].

Life history traits (averages)

Female sexual maturity
456 days
Male sexual maturity
456 days
Gestation
150 days
Weaning
103 days
Litter size
4.8 (viviparous)
Litters per year
1.25
Inter-litter interval
245 days
Weight at birth
1,500 g
Weight at weaning
8,299 g
Adult weight
55,000 g
Postnatal growth rate
Maximum longevity residual
58%

Metabolism

Typical body temperature
310ºK or 37.1ºC or 98.8ºF
Basal metabolic rate
36.7540 W
Body mass
26385.0 g
Metabolic rate per body mass
0.001393 W/g

References

External Resources

Integrated Taxonomic Information System
ITIS 825303
Animal Diversity Web
ADW account
Encyclopaedia of Life
Search EOL
NCBI Taxonomy
Taxonomy ID 10149
Entrez
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Ageing Literature
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Internet
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