Capybara
A capybara is the largest living rodent, native to South America and adapted to semi-aquatic habitats.
Also known as: Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
How big is it?
1.15 m · head-to-rump length
Also 3.773 ft
Head-to-rump length · representative
Typical recorded range: 1 m to 1.3 m.
A little perspective
Capybara vs Giant barrel sponge: length comparison
The colony height of a giant barrel sponge is about 1.04 times the head-to-rump length of a capybara.
A capybara is the largest living rodent, native to South America and adapted to semi-aquatic habitats.
A giant barrel sponge is a large, hollow marine animal that filters food particles from seawater through its porous body.
Both rulers start at the same zero and share one linear scale. Artwork keeps its original proportions. Horizontal rulers compare the selected spans; vertical brackets also identify height on the artwork.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Capybara
Head-to-rump length: 1.15 m; representative; range 1 m–1.3 m.
A representative adult capybara at 1.15 m and 50 kg. San Diego Zoo gives a 1.0–1.3 m length and 27–79 kg mass range depending on sex.
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance — Capybara
The marked head-to-rump length is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Giant barrel sponge
Defined colony height: 1.2 m; defined specimen; range 50 cm–1.8 m.
A defined 1.2 m high giant barrel sponge (Xestospongia muta) with an 80 kg wet mass. Colonies grow in irregular barrel forms; height excludes the reef substrate and the central cavity is open.
The marked defined colony height is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Use the visual comparison to explore its scale, then check the measurements and sources.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 1.15 m
We compare the head-to-rump length of a capybara. This is a representative comparison value; individual specimens or conditions can vary. The recorded range is 1 m to 1.3 m.
A representative adult capybara at 1.15 m and 50 kg. San Diego Zoo gives a 1.0–1.3 m length and 27–79 kg mass range depending on sex.
The marked horizontal span follows the measured feature, not the edges of the image. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.15 m | 1 m to 1.3 m | representative | |
| 50 kg | 27 kg to 79 kg | representative |
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Want to check the number?
The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance — CapybaraAdult length 100–130 cm and mass 27–79 kg depending on sex.
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