“The world's largest rodent and its most emotionally stable animal.”

The capybara is a hundred-pound guinea pig with the temperament of a retired yoga instructor. As the largest rodent on Earth, it could reasonably throw its weight around — instead it has chosen radical chill. Birds perch on it. Monkeys ride it. Other animals nap against it like it's a warm, breathing beanbag, and the capybara simply allows this, gazing into the middle distance with the serenity of someone who has made peace with everything. Semi-aquatic and a strong swimmer, it can nap in water with just its nose poking out. Its whole brand is tolerance. If the animal kingdom held a vote for "most likely to defuse the situation," the capybara would win without campaigning.

Scientific name

Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris

Size

Big-dog sized (up to ~65 kg).

Habitat

Wetlands and riverbanks across South America.

Diet

Grasses and aquatic plants (and its own morning droppings, politely).

Conservation

LC · Least Concern

Picnic threat level

Picnic threat: none. Might join you. Bring extra grass.

Giles Laurent, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons · Learn more →