---
title: "Lesser Capybara"
description: "Hydrochoerus isthmius — Mamíferos. The lesser capybara (Hydrochoerus isthmius) is a large semi-aquatic rodent found in South America that has vast similarities with, yet subtle differences from, the slightly larger common capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), the largest species of rodent in the world."
canonical: https://animalchecklist.com/pt/animal/lesser-capybara
last_updated: 2026-09-20
---

# Lesser Capybara

> Hydrochoerus isthmius — Mamíferos. The lesser capybara (Hydrochoerus isthmius) is a large semi-aquatic rodent found in South America that has vast similarities with, yet subtle differences from, the slightly larger common capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), the largest species of rodent in the world.

- Scientific name: *Hydrochoerus isthmius*
- Category: `mammals` (Mamíferos)
- Habitats: `freshwater` (Lagos e rios)
- iNaturalist observations: 767
- Wikidata: [Q1040804](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1040804)
- iNaturalist taxon: [74443](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/74443)

## Names

- en: Lesser Capybara
- de: Panamawasserschwein
- es: Capibara menor
- fr: Capybara du Panama

## Countries with the most observations

PA (320), CO (195)

## Summary

The lesser capybara (Hydrochoerus isthmius) is a large semi-aquatic rodent found in South America that has vast similarities with, yet subtle differences from, the slightly larger common capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), the largest species of rodent in the world.

Text: Wikipedia (en), CC BY-SA 4.0 — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesser_capybara

## Photo

![Lesser Capybara](https://animalchecklist.com/img/animals/lesser-capybara/medium.jpg)

Photo: Scott Loarie · CC0 · inaturalist — https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/168077

## Machine access

`GET https://animalchecklist.com/api/v1/animals/lesser-capybara?lang=pt` — see [openapi.json](https://animalchecklist.com/openapi.json).