Yes, capybaras get along with most animals. They’re large, social plant-eaters that don’t hunt anything, so smaller animals have no reason to fear them, and capybaras rarely bother to chase anything off. Birds perch on their backs to eat ticks, and zoo and sanctuary photos regularly show them lounging next to monkeys, ducks and other species. The big exceptions are their predators, and males competing with other males.
Why are capybaras so tolerant of other animals? #
Three things explain most of it.
They’re herbivores. Capybaras eat grasses and water plants, about 6 to 8 lb of fresh grass a day according to the Rainforest Alliance. They have no interest in hunting birds, rabbits or turtles, so they’re about as safe a neighbor as a small animal can have.
They’re big. Adults usually weigh 77 to 146 lb (35 to 66 kg), which makes them the largest rodents alive. Small animals can’t push them around, so there’s little reason for a capybara to feel threatened by a bird landing on its back.
They’re social. Capybaras live in groups, usually of 10 to 20, which can merge into herds of up to 100 in the dry season when water gets scarce. They communicate constantly with barks, whistles, huffs and purrs, and when one senses danger the whole group barks. Animals that spend their lives in close company tend to tolerate company in general.
Which animals are friends with capybaras? #
Birds #
This is the best-documented friendship. Birds such as the yellow-headed caracara and cattle tyrants perch on capybaras and pick ticks, flies and other parasites out of their coarse fur. The birds get an easy meal, and the capybara gets pest control, so it usually lies still and lets them work.
Monkeys, ducks and other zoo neighbors #
In zoos and sanctuaries capybaras often share space with other species, and they’re famously easygoing about it. Photos of monkeys climbing on them, ducks swimming beside them and smaller animals resting against them are common. How well a pairing works depends on the individual animals and on the space, so keepers watch any new pairing closely.
Turtles and other river animals #
Capybaras spend a lot of the day in or near water, which puts them alongside turtles, fish and water birds. They share basking spots and shallows without much fuss.
When don’t capybaras get along with other animals? #
With predators #
Capybaras are a major prey species. Adults are hunted by jaguars, caimans and anacondas, and young capybaras can be taken by ocelots and harpy eagles. Predation is the main reason wild capybaras rarely live past four years. When a capybara spots a threat, the group barks an alarm and heads for the water. Their eyes, ears and nostrils sit high on the head, so they can hide with most of the body underwater, and they can hold their breath for almost five minutes.
That makes the “capybaras are friends with everyone” meme a little misleading. Photos of capybaras relaxing next to caimans exist, but caimans eat young capybaras, so that calm is the exception.
Between males #
Adult males have a scent gland on top of the snout called a morrillo, which is much larger in males than in females, and they use it and other scent glands to mark territory. Males compete over rank and mates, and like all rodents they have continuously growing, sharp front teeth that can cause real injuries in a fight.
With high-energy dogs #
A calm, well-trained dog can live alongside a capybara, but a dog that chases, nips or herds will stress it badly. A frightened capybara may bite or injure itself trying to escape. Any dog around a capybara needs supervision.
Can you keep a capybara with other pets? #
Think hard before you try. Capybaras need a large grazing area, a pool deep enough to swim in, and at least one other capybara, since a dog or a cat can’t replace one of their own kind. Many places also restrict or ban keeping them. If you’re a licensed keeper or sanctuary volunteer introducing a capybara to other animals:
- Give every animal enough space to walk away.
- Keep the water clean and safe for every species that uses it.
- House capybaras with at least one other capybara.
- Supervise all early meetings, and don’t leave them alone together until they’ve been calm around each other many times over several weeks.
Why games cast capybaras as the chill hero #
The capybara’s easy temperament is why it became a meme and then a game mascot. Games tend to cast it as the calm animal in a hectic world. Capybara Crossing flips that and makes it, for once, the one in a hurry: hopping across roads, rivers and railways while an eagle circles overhead, waiting for it to stand still. Given that eagles really are on the list of capybara predators, it’s more realistic than most capybara games.
For more on the real animal, see capybara facts in mobile games, the sounds capybaras make and the crocodile-riding meme explained.
Frequently asked questions #
Do capybaras get along with dogs? #
They can get along with calm, well-socialized dogs. A dog that chases or nips will frighten a capybara, which may bite in self-defense or hurt itself trying to escape, so any meeting needs close supervision.
Why do other animals sit on capybaras? #
Mostly for food and a good perch. Birds sit on them to eat ticks and flies from their fur, and capybaras are large, steady and patient enough that smaller animals can rest on them without being shaken off.
Can a capybara live with a cat? #
Some do in sanctuaries and licensed homes, since a quiet cat doesn’t threaten a capybara. It depends on the individual animals, and a cat still can’t replace the company of another capybara.
Are capybaras ever aggressive? #
Yes, sometimes. Adult males can fight each other over rank and mates, and a capybara that’s cornered or protecting its young may bite. Their sharp, ever-growing front teeth can cause serious wounds.