The capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), also known as chigüiro in Colombia, is the largest rodent in the world and one of the most emblematic species of South American wildlife. In addition to its peaceful appearance, this animal plays a key role in the ecosystems it inhabits. In Colombia, it is possible to see them in the wild in various regions of the country, especially in the Eastern Plains (Llanos Orientales), where natural conditions are ideal for their survival.
The capybara’s habitat in Colombia: Water and savannas
Capybaras are semi-aquatic animals that require environments with abundant freshwater, such as rivers, lagoons, streams, swamps, and seasonally flooded savannas. In Colombia, their natural habitat is found mainly in the Eastern Plains, in departments such as Meta, Casanare, Arauca, and Vichada. These vast plains, covered in grasses and crisscrossed by bodies of water, offer the perfect setting for the life of the chigüiro.
The species also adapts well to modified habitats, as long as there are permanent water sources and enough vegetation cover. In some rural and cattle-raising areas of the country, capybaras coexist with human activity, although this can increase their vulnerability to threats such as hunting and habitat fragmentation.
Characteristics and behavior
A capybara can weigh between 35 and 70 kilograms (77–154 pounds) and measure up to 1.3 meters (over 4 feet) in length. Its body is robust, with short light brown or grayish fur, and its feet are adapted for swimming, with partially webbed toes.
They are social animals that live in groups of 10 to 30 individuals, although gatherings of up to 100 have been recorded. They spend much of the day grazing and resting and are most active during the early morning and late afternoon. When threatened, they flee to the water, their main refuge.
Where to see capybaras in Colombia?
To observe capybaras in their natural habitat, the Eastern Plains are the ideal destination. There, several tour operators offer nature tourism experiences, including wildlife safaris where it is common to see herds of chigüiros near lagoons, streams, or pastures. Recommended places include:
La Aurora Natural Reserve (Casanare): one of the most popular safari destinations, where capybaras live alongside deer, caimans, birds, and cattle.
El Tuparro National Natural Park (Vichada): a biodiversity hotspot with plains, rainforest, and rivers that shelter wild populations of capybaras.
Hato La Aurora and Hato Corozal: cattle ranches that offer ecotourism with a focus on conservation.
In central Colombia, it is also possible to see capybaras in semi-captive or conservation environments, such as:
Cali Zoo: home to some specimens in an enclosure that simulates their natural habitat.
Los Ocarros Biopark (Villavicencio): specialized in wildlife from the Eastern Plains and ideal for learning about the chigüiro’s ecology.
Urban wetlands in Bogota, such as the Jaboque or Cordoba wetlands, where solitary individuals have occasionally been sighted adapting to these ecosystems.
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Ideal conditions for conservation
Capybaras require clean and abundant water, marsh vegetation, and grasslands for feeding. Their herbivorous diet consists mainly of grasses, tree bark, and fruits. They need a peaceful environment to reproduce and maintain their social structure. Habitat fragmentation, uncontrolled urban expansion, and indiscriminate hunting are constant threats.
In Colombia, the hunting of chigüiros is regulated by the National Authority of Environmental Licenses (ANLA) in areas where populations are stable. However, sustainable and ethical management is needed to avoid negative impacts. There are also conservation and environmental education efforts in the plains regions to protect this species and promote its coexistence with human activity.