Is it a beaver without a tail? A hairy pig without a snout? No, it’s the largest rodent in the world! The capybara is found on Central and South American riverbanks, beside ponds, and in marshes or wherever standing water is available. Due to its dry skin, a capy requires a swimming hole as part of its lifestyle to stay healthy. It eats water plants and grasses and uses the water itself to escape from danger. In fact, a capybara can stay underwater for up to five minutes at a time to hide from predators. It uses its webbed feet to swim as well as walk.