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Can You Own a Capybara? What to Know Before Getting a Pet Capybara

Capybaras are calm, social and adorable – but are they good pets, and are they even legal? Here's what owning a capybara really takes.

By Strangest Animals ·

Capybara sitting on mossy ground by a pond while a woman in an olive shirt gently pets its head
This capybara looks completely relaxed as a person in an olive shirt gives its head a soft pat beside the pond.

Calm, friendly and happy to share a hot bath with a duck: no wonder people want a capybara of their own. In some places, you can legally keep one. But a capybara is a 100-lb wild rodent with very specific needs, and most people who buy one aren’t ready for it.

It depends where you live. In the US, rules are set by each state, and sometimes by counties and cities too. Some states allow capybaras, some require a permit and some ban them as exotic animals. Many other countries have similar rules. Before even thinking about it, check with your state or national wildlife agency, and your local council or homeowners’ association.

What does a capybara need?

  • A friend: capybaras are herd animals. Kept alone, they get lonely and stressed, so you really need two.
  • Water to swim in: a pool or pond big enough for them to swim and fully submerge. They use water to cool down, relax and escape.
  • Space and grass: a large, securely fenced outdoor area with grass to graze.
  • The right diet: grass, hay and vegetables, plus a source of vitamin C, which they can’t make themselves, just like guinea pigs.
  • Things to chew: their front teeth never stop growing.
  • A specialist vet: not every vet will treat a capybara.

A capybara isn’t a big guinea pig. It’s a semi-aquatic herd animal the size of a large dog.

How big does a capybara get?

The capybara is the largest rodent in the world. Adults are about 3.5 to 4.4 ft (1.1 to 1.3 m) long and usually weigh 77 to 145 lb (35 to 66 kg), about as much as an adult German shepherd. They can live around 8 to 12 years in captivity, sometimes longer.

Are capybaras good pets?

The good: they’re usually gentle, can become very tame when raised by people and are famously relaxed with other animals.

The hard parts:

  • They’re expensive to buy and to house.
  • They can bite hard, especially males during the breeding season.
  • They mark territory with scent and can’t really be house-trained.
  • They need company all day, every day.
  • You can’t easily find someone to look after one while you’re on holiday.

Strange but trueCapybaras are partly nocturnal in the wild, and they’ll happily sleep in the water with just their nose sticking out.

A better way to meet a capybara

For most people, the best way to enjoy capybaras is to visit them. Many zoos and wildlife parks keep groups, and some, especially in Japan, let visitors watch them soak in hot baths. You get all the cute, without the pool bills. Read more in Why Are Capybaras So Chill?

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