"the capybara, and guinea pigs. Chacoan maras are closely related to the other member of the genus ""Dolichotis"", the Patagonian mara. Maras are the fourth largest rodent in the world after the capybaras, beavers and porcupines . Though the mara may look like a rabbit, the rabbit is not actually a rodent and therefore not as closely related to the mara as one might expect. Chacoan mara The Chacoan mara, Dolichotis salinicola, is a relatively large South American rodent of the cavy family. They are a close relative of the better known Patagonian mara. The Chacoan mara lives in the"
"Capybara The capybara (""Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris"") is a mammal native to South America. It is the largest living rodent in the world. Also called chigüire, chigüiro (in Venezuela) and carpincho, it is a member of the genus ""Hydrochoerus"", of which the only other extant member is the lesser capybara (""Hydrochoerus isthmius""). Its close relatives include guinea pigs and rock cavies, and it is more distantly related to the agouti, the chinchilla, and the coypu. The capybara inhabits savannas and dense forests and lives near bodies of water. It is a highly social species and can be found in groups as large"
"in 1982, multiple establishments in Japan that raise capybaras have adopted the practice of having them relax in onsen during the winter. Capybara The capybara (""Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris"") is a mammal native to South America. It is the largest living rodent in the world. Also called chigüire, chigüiro (in Venezuela) and carpincho, it is a member of the genus ""Hydrochoerus"", of which the only other extant member is the lesser capybara (""Hydrochoerus isthmius""). Its close relatives include guinea pigs and rock cavies, and it is more distantly related to the agouti, the chinchilla, and the coypu. The capybara inhabits savannas and"
"Greater guinea pig The greater guinea pig, ""Cavia magna"", is a species of rodent found in the coastal strip of Brazil and Uruguay, where it lives in moist grassland and marshes. A large rodent, the greater guinea pig grows to a total length of and weight of for males and a total length of and weight of for females. The dorsal fur is dark agouti brown and the underparts are reddish brown. It is semiaquatic and has membranes joining the toes. Its karyotype has 2n = 64 and FN = 128. This species is native to the coastal strip of"
"Josephoartigasia monesi Josephoartigasia monesi, an extinct species of South American caviomorph rodent, is the largest rodent known, and lived from about 4 to 2 million years ago during the Pliocene to early Pleistocene. The species is one of two in the genus ""Josephoartigasia"", the other being ""J. magna"". ""J. monesi"" is sometimes called the giant pacarana, after its closest living relative, the pacarana (""Dinomys branickii"") in the family Dinomyidae. The species may have weighed a ton, considerably larger than any living rodent. The skull of the holotype is long, and the remaining incisor is more than in length. The total"
"males, and juveniles. The family Caviidae is a sister group to the family Dasyproctidae, both of which are members of the superfamily Cavioidea. Fossils caviids first appeared during the middle of the Miocene epoch in South America. Family Caviidae Caviidae Caviidae, the cavy family, is composed of rodents native to South America and includes the domestic guinea pig, wild cavies, and the largest living rodent, the capybara. They are found across South America in open areas from moist savanna to thorn forests or scrub desert. This family of rodents has fewer members than most other rodent families, with 19 species"
"restricted range but has a total area of occupancy of more than . It is believed to have a large total population, and although the population is thought to be slightly declining in Uruguay, this is not at a rate sufficiently significant for it to be listed in a more threatened category. Greater guinea pig The greater guinea pig, ""Cavia magna"", is a species of rodent found in the coastal strip of Brazil and Uruguay, where it lives in moist grassland and marshes. A large rodent, the greater guinea pig grows to a total length of and weight of for"
"Caviidae Caviidae, the cavy family, is composed of rodents native to South America and includes the domestic guinea pig, wild cavies, and the largest living rodent, the capybara. They are found across South America in open areas from moist savanna to thorn forests or scrub desert. This family of rodents has fewer members than most other rodent families, with 19 species in 6 genera in 3 subfamilies. With the exception of the maras, which have a more rabbit-like appearance, caviids have short, heavy bodies and large heads. Most have no visible tails. They range in size from the smaller cavies"
"nocturnal, simply to avoid social interaction. Mara (mammal) The maras (""Dolichotis"") are a genus of the cavy family of rodents. They are the sole extant representatives of the subfamily Dolichotinae. These large relatives of guinea pigs are common in the Patagonian steppes of Argentina, but also live in Paraguay and elsewhere in South America. Maras are the fourth-largest rodent in the world, after capybaras, beavers, and porcupines, reaching about in height. Two species of maras are recognised, the Patagonian mara (""Dolichotis patagonum""), and the Chacoan mara (""Dolichotis salinicola""). ""Dolichotis"" means ‘long-earred’ (from ‘long’ + ‘ear’) in Ancient Greek. Maras have"
"Mara (mammal) The maras (""Dolichotis"") are a genus of the cavy family of rodents. They are the sole extant representatives of the subfamily Dolichotinae. These large relatives of guinea pigs are common in the Patagonian steppes of Argentina, but also live in Paraguay and elsewhere in South America. Maras are the fourth-largest rodent in the world, after capybaras, beavers, and porcupines, reaching about in height. Two species of maras are recognised, the Patagonian mara (""Dolichotis patagonum""), and the Chacoan mara (""Dolichotis salinicola""). ""Dolichotis"" means ‘long-earred’ (from ‘long’ + ‘ear’) in Ancient Greek. Maras have stocky bodies, three sharp-clawed digits on"
"that the bite of ""J. monesi"" possibly generated up to 4165 N of force, three times as powerful as predicted for modern day tigers. The study also speculated that ""J. monesi"" behaved similarly to elephants, utilizing its incisors like tusks for digging or defense. Josephoartigasia monesi Josephoartigasia monesi, an extinct species of South American caviomorph rodent, is the largest rodent known, and lived from about 4 to 2 million years ago during the Pliocene to early Pleistocene. The species is one of two in the genus ""Josephoartigasia"", the other being ""J. magna"". ""J. monesi"" is sometimes called the giant pacarana,"
"Great American Interchange . They were formerly grouped with the agoutis in the family Dasyproctidae, subfamily Agoutinae, but were given full family status because they differ in the number of toes, the shape of the skull, and coat patterning. Pacas are in length, excluding the short tail, weigh , and are the sixth-largest rodents in the world. Similar to guinea pigs, they have square heads, small ears, sides patterned with spots and stripes, and virtually invisible tails. With large hind limbs, small fore limbs, and cone-shaped bodies, pacas are similar in appearance to the deer-like, ungulate chevrotains, and like them"
"Guinea pig The guinea pig or domestic guinea pig (""Cavia porcellus""), also known as cavy or domestic cavy, is a species of rodent belonging to the family Caviidae and the genus ""Cavia"". Despite their common name, these animals are not in the pig family Suidae, nor do they come from Guinea in Africa, and the origin of their name is still unclear; they originated in the Andes of South America and studies based on biochemistry and hybridization suggest they are domesticated descendants of a closely related species of cavy such as ""C. tschudii"", and therefore do not exist naturally in"
"Giant hutia The giant hutias are an extinct group of large rodents known from fossil and subfossil material in the West Indies. One species, ""Amblyrhiza inundata"", is estimated to have weighed between , big specimens being as large as an American black bear. This is twice as large as the capybara, the largest rodent living today, but still much smaller than ""Josephoartigasia monesi"", the largest rodent known. These animals were probably used as a food source by aboriginal humans. All giant hutias are in a single family, Heptaxodontidae, which contains no living species; this grouping seems to be paraphyletic and"
"Perentie The perentie (""Varanus giganteus"") is the largest monitor lizard or goanna native to Australia, and the fourth-largest living lizard on earth, after the Komodo dragon, Asian water monitor, and the crocodile monitor. Found west of the Great Dividing Range in the arid areas of Australia, it is rarely seen because of its shyness and the remoteness of much of its range from human habitation. Its status in many Aboriginal cultures is evident in the totemic relationships, and part of the Ngiṉṯaka dreaming, as well as bush tucker. It was a favoured food item among desert Aboriginal tribes, and the"
"a remarkably long time for a rodent. Agouti The term agouti (, ) or common agouti designates several rodent species of the genus Dasyprocta. They are native to Middle America, northern and central South America, and the southern Lesser Antilles. Some species have also been introduced elsewhere in the West Indies. They are related to guinea pigs and look quite similar, but are larger and have longer legs. The species vary considerably in colour, being brown, reddish, dull orange, greyish or blackish, but typically with lighter underparts. Their bodies are covered with coarse hair which is raised when alarmed. They"
"in the soil. Perentie The perentie (""Varanus giganteus"") is the largest monitor lizard or goanna native to Australia, and the fourth-largest living lizard on earth, after the Komodo dragon, Asian water monitor, and the crocodile monitor. Found west of the Great Dividing Range in the arid areas of Australia, it is rarely seen because of its shyness and the remoteness of much of its range from human habitation. Its status in many Aboriginal cultures is evident in the totemic relationships, and part of the Ngiṉṯaka dreaming, as well as bush tucker. It was a favoured food item among desert Aboriginal"
"identified by the Institute Armand Frappier in 1978, and Charles River Laboratories has reproduced this breed for research since 1982. Cavy fanciers then began acquiring hairless breeds, and the pet hairless varieties are referred to as ""skinny pigs"". Guinea pig The guinea pig or domestic guinea pig (""Cavia porcellus""), also known as cavy or domestic cavy, is a species of rodent belonging to the family Caviidae and the genus ""Cavia"". Despite their common name, these animals are not in the pig family Suidae, nor do they come from Guinea in Africa, and the origin of their name is still unclear;"
"Telicomys Telicomys is an extinct genus of rodent from the Solimões Formation, Brazil, South America. With a length of more than in ""T. gigantissimus"", it contains two or three of the largest rodents that ever lived, along with ""Phoberomys"", ""Josephoartigasia"", and the giant beaver. It is part of the same South American radiation of rodents as both ""Phoberomys"" and the modern capybara, which is the largest living rodent, reaching lengths of up to . The closest living relative to ""Telicomys"" is the pacarana. Its name derives from Greek τηλικος + μυς = ""a mouse [= rodent] of such a size""."
"Telicomys Telicomys is an extinct genus of rodent from the Solimões Formation, Brazil, South America. With a length of more than in ""T. gigantissimus"", it contains two or three of the largest rodents that ever lived, along with ""Phoberomys"", ""Josephoartigasia"", and the giant beaver. It is part of the same South American radiation of rodents as both ""Phoberomys"" and the modern capybara, which is the largest living rodent, reaching lengths of up to . The closest living relative to ""Telicomys"" is the pacarana. Its name derives from Greek τηλικος + μυς = ""a mouse [= rodent] of such a size""."
"Goliath frog The goliath frog otherwise known as goliath bullfrog or giant slippery frog (""Conraua goliath"") is the largest living frog on Earth. Specimens can grow up to 32 cm (12.6 in) in length from snout to vent, and weigh up to 3.25 kg (7.17 lb). This species has a relatively small habitat range in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. Its numbers are dwindling due to habitat destruction and its collection for food and the pet trade. In a sample of 15 individuals, weights ranged between , and snout-vent lengths were between . Their eyes can be nearly in diameter. The"
"animal symbol of Canada and is the official state mammal of Oregon. This beaver is the largest rodent in North America and competes with its Eurasian counterpart, the European beaver, for being the second-largest in the world, both following the South American capybara. The European species is slightly larger on average but the American has a larger known maximum size. Adults usually weigh from , with being typical. In New York, the average weight of adult male beavers was , while non-native females in Finland averaged . However, adults of both sexes averaged in Ohio. The species seems to conform"
"Agouti The term agouti (, ) or common agouti designates several rodent species of the genus Dasyprocta. They are native to Middle America, northern and central South America, and the southern Lesser Antilles. Some species have also been introduced elsewhere in the West Indies. They are related to guinea pigs and look quite similar, but are larger and have longer legs. The species vary considerably in colour, being brown, reddish, dull orange, greyish or blackish, but typically with lighter underparts. Their bodies are covered with coarse hair which is raised when alarmed. They weigh and are in length, with short,"
"this rodent is ""Greater Cane Rat"", though actually it is not a rat at all and is a close relative of porcupines and guinea pigs that inhabit Africa, south of the Saharan Desert. In 2003, the U.S. barred the import of this and other rodents from Africa because of an outbreak of at least nine human cases of monkeypox, an illness never before been seen in the Western Hemisphere. Historically, rats and mice have also been eaten in the West during times of shortage or emergency, such as during the Siege of Vicksburg and the Siege of Paris. Dormice were"
"suited to the gopher (disturbed habitats and pastoral farmland), it may be considered a pest and subject to eradication by poisoning and trapping. Camas pocket gopher The camas pocket gopher (""Thomomys bulbivorus""), also known as the camas rat or Willamette Valley gopher, is a rodent, the largest member in the genus ""Thomomys"", of the family Geomyidae. First described in , it is endemic to the Willamette Valley of northwestern Oregon in the United States. The herbivorous gopher forages for vegetable and plant matter, which it collects in large, fur-lined, external cheek pouches. Surplus food is hoarded in an extensive system"
"may also be a predator of giant forest hogs, the species are usually segregated by habitat, as African lions do not generally occur in the densely forested habitats inhabited by this suid. Giant forest hog The giant forest hog (""Hylochoerus meinertzhageni""), the only member of its genus, is native to wooded habitats in Africa and generally is considered the largest wild member of the pig family, Suidae; a few subspecies of the wild boar can reach an even larger size. Despite its large size and relatively wide distribution, it was first described only in 1904. The specific name honours Richard"
"and probably weighed between ), making it for some years the largest known rodent for which good size and weight estimates were possible. Its congener ""Phoberomys insolita"" was a bit larger still, but it is not known from any reasonably complete remains, thus its size cannot be estimated more precisely. In early 2008, the discovery of ""Josephoartigasia monesi"" was announced, which was even larger. Phoberomys pattersoni Phoberomys pattersoni is an extinct rodent that lived in the ancient Orinoco River delta around 8 million years ago. It was the second-largest of the roughly seven species of its genus. Like many other"
"mascot beaver on the top surface. The ring is traditionally made of gold, the beaver is the largest North American rodent, hence ""gold beaver"" has informally become ""Brass Rat"" in student lingo. Tim the Beaver is the official mascot of MIT, appearing at athletic events, fundraisers, and other occasions. The name ""Tim"" is simply ""MIT"" spelled backwards. A beaver was selected as the MIT mascot because beavers are ""nature's engineers""; this decision was made at the Technology Club of New York's annual dinner on January 17, 1914. President Richard Maclaurin proposed the beaver. The sports teams at MIT often choose"
"at the viewing windows. A new mate for Kera, a six-year-old male named Intan, arrived from Willowbank Wildlife Park in Christchurch later that month. Intan is the son of Iwani's sister, who was born at Auckland Zoo in 1995. In April 2015 Auckland Zoo got two young female capybara (world's largest rodent) from Adelaide Zoo. Their names are Rosita and Consuela. They share an enclosure with the squirrel monkeys in The Rainforest exhibit. In March 2015, Auckland Zoo first announced that 8-year-old Asian elephant Anjalee would be coming to the zoo from Sri Lanka halfway through the year to be"
"Goliath birdeater The Goliath birdeater (""Theraphosa blondi"") belongs to the tarantula family Theraphosidae. Found in northern South America, it is the largest spider in the world by mass and size, but it is second to the giant huntsman spider by leg-span. It is also called the Goliath bird-eating spider; the practice of calling theraphosids ""bird-eating"" derives from an early 18th-century copper engraving by Maria Sibylla Merian that shows one . Despite the spider's name, it only rarely preys on birds. Unlike other species of spider/tarantula, females do not eat the males during mating. Females mature in 3 to 6 years"
"Red and white giant flying squirrel The red and white giant flying squirrel (""Petaurista alborufus"") is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is the largest species of giant squirrel and has blue eyes. It is also known as the Chinese giant flying squirrel. At over a meter long including its tail, the red and white giant flying squirrel is the largest of its kind. Endemic to central and southern China and Taiwan, they inhabit dense hillside forests in mountainous terrain. They spend their days sleeping, emerging after sundown to forage in the trees. Their diet consists primarily"
"Hydrochoerus The genus Hydrochoerus contains two living and two extinct species of capybaras from South America, the Caribbean island of Grenada, and Panama. Capybaras are the largest living rodents in the world. The genus name is derived from the Greek ὕδωρ (""hýdor"", water) plus χοίρος (""choíros"", pig). Capybaras are semiaquatic, found in and near lakes, rivers, swamps, and flooded savanna. Their diets are dominated by grasses. Adults weigh up to . The gestation period is 130–150 days, with two to eight (most commonly four) young born to females. Capybaras are highly social, living in groups of up to 100 and"
"feedback mechanisms decrease nitrogen availability, resulting in reduced forage production, decreased nitrogen concentrations, and reduced mammalian herbivore biomass. Castoroides Castoroides, or giant beaver, is an extinct genus of enormous beavers that lived in North America during the Pleistocene. C. leiseyorum and its northern sister species Castoroides ohioensis, were the largest beavers to ever exist. Species of ""Castoroides"", also known as giant beavers, were much larger than modern beavers. Their average length was approximately , and they could grow as large as . The weight of the giant beaver could vary from to . This makes it the largest known rodent"