FWC Home Wildlife & Habitats Species Information Imperiled Species Living with Wildlife Nonnative Species Invasive Plants Wildlife Legacy Habitat Information Wildlife Assistance
Wildlife Diseases

Capybara - Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris

Florida's Nonnative Wildlife. Species detail.

First year: 1990s

Extirpated year:

Established status: Species are present but not confirmed to be breeding. Population persists only with repeated introductions and/or escapes of individuals.

Estimated Florida range: 4 counties Not reported breeding

Statewide trend: Unknown status

Threats to natives:

Species Account: Large rodent from South America that might have originated from escapes from a wildlife research facility. Population size, trends, and impact on native species are unknown. Although not reported breeding in the wild, sightings are not uncommon, and a breeding population may exist.

Habitats: Freshwater marsh

County	First Year	Extirpated Year	Breeding status	Notes
ALACHUA	2000		Not reported breeding	Some animals reportedly escaped from captive herd in 2001
BRADFORD	1990s		Not reported breeding
UNION	1995		Not reported breeding	Animal killed on Interstate 10 in 2001
SARASOTA	2001		Not reported breeding	Adult animal killed on State Road 72 just east of the Myakka River bridge (P. Beshoff, FDEP, Myakka River State Park, personal communication)

References

Layne, J. 1997. Nonindigenous Mammals. Pages 157-186 in Strangers in Paradise: impact and management of nonindigenous species in Florida (Simberloff,D., D. Schmitz, and T. Brown, eds.). Island Press, Washington, D. C.

Links to more information

University of Michigan species info

Back to Nonnative Mammals

Our mission: Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.