Capybaras, the world’s largest rodents, are semi-aquatic mammals. Native to South America, they inhabit wetlands, marshes, and riverbanks. Their physical attributes allow them to navigate both terrestrial and aquatic environments effectively, raising questions about their speed and agility in different settings.
Capybara’s Terrestrial Speed
Despite their robust, barrel-shaped bodies and relatively short legs, capybaras demonstrate surprising bursts of speed on land. When faced with a threat, they can reach a top speed of 35 kilometers per hour (22 miles per hour). This pace is faster than the average human sprint, which is around 15 miles per hour.
Capybaras employ a galloping gait when moving at higher speeds, where all four feet momentarily leave the ground during each stride. Their muscular hindquarters contribute to this powerful propulsion, allowing them to accelerate quickly. While not built for prolonged endurance running, their agility enables them to make sharp turns and sudden stops, crucial for evading predators over short distances.
Capybara’s Aquatic Agility
Capybaras are highly skilled in water, earning them the nickname “water hogs.” Their physical adaptations make them excellent swimmers and divers. They can swim at speeds of about 8 kilometers per hour (5 miles per hour). This speed allows them to move efficiently through rivers, lakes, and swamps.
A key adaptation for their aquatic prowess is their partially webbed feet, which function like paddles to provide propulsion through the water. Their eyes, ears, and nostrils are positioned high on their heads, enabling them to remain almost entirely submerged while still being able to see, hear, and breathe. Capybaras can also hold their breath underwater for up to five minutes, a remarkable ability that aids in concealment.
Speed in Context: Survival Strategies
The speed of capybaras, both on land and in water, plays a significant role in their survival against natural predators. Animals such as jaguars, pumas, anacondas, caimans, and harpy eagles pose threats in their native habitats. When confronted by a land-based predator, capybaras often use their terrestrial speed to make a quick dash toward the nearest body of water.
Once in the water, their aquatic agility becomes their primary defense mechanism. They can rapidly dive and remain submerged for extended periods, effectively hiding from threats. Keeping only their sensory organs above the waterline allows them to observe their surroundings discreetly. This combined strategy of land speed for escape and aquatic mastery for hiding is central to how capybaras evade danger in their environment.