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; order Rodentia, suborder Hystricomorpha)
A monospecific family (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) that comprises the largest of all rodents, which grows to a weight of 50 kg or more. Capybaras are semi-aquatic, with digits partially webbed, and eyes and ears small and positioned high on the skull. The body is sparsely covered with hair, and the tail is vestigial. Capybaras are distributed throughout tropical S. America east of the Andes.
From: Hydrochoeridae in A Dictionary of Zoology »
Subjects: Zoology and Animal Sciences.
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