World's Largest Rodent Now at Brookfield Zoo

BROOKFIELD, IL — Brookfield Zoo is now the home to three capybaras, which is the home to the world's largest rodent, the zoo announced Thursday.

The two females and one male range in age from 8 months to 2 years old. The last time the species was at Brookfield Zoo was in 1977, according to a news release.

"Some may think, capybaras resemble a combination of a beaver and a hairy pig, but they are actually closely related to guinea pigs and cavies," the news release said. "They measure between 39 and 51 inches in length, with a shoulder height of about 20 inches. Depending on the sex, the species weighs between 110 and 135 pounds. Well adapted to life near water, the semiaquatic mammals have partially webbed feet, making capybaras very strong swimmers capable of staying underwater for up to five minutes, which helps when escaping predators such as jaguars, anacondas, and harpy eagles."

They are native to southern Central America and northern South America.