The capybara (also capibara), Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris ("Water pig") is a semi-aquatic herbivorous animal. It is the world's largest living rodent. It is endemic to most of the tropical and temperate parts of South America east of the Andes, and has been introduced to north-central Florida and possibly other subtropical regions in the United States. It is the only living member of the family Hydrochoeridae. Some scientists consider a dwarf race, Hydrochoerus isthmius, to be a valid species. The Panama or Panamanian Dwarf Capybara has a range restricted to northwest Venezuela, Colombia, and into Panama. It is about half the size of a normal capybara.
The animal is also called capivara in Portuguese, and carpincho, ronsoco, chigüiro or chigüire in Spanish. The name originally derives from Tupi kaapĩ ûara ("grass eater") or possibly from the Guarani word kapiÿva, meaning roughly "master of the grasses". In English, it is also sometimes called Water Hog (which is also the literal translation of its species name). Chigüire is used extensively in Venezuela.