Giant Otter vs Lesser Capybara

Pteronura brasiliensis compared with Hydrochoerus isthmius

Key Differences

• Giant Otter is Endangered while Lesser Capybara is Data Deficient.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Giant Otter	Lesser Capybara
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Rodentia (Rodents)
Family	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Caviidae
Genus	Pteronura	Hydrochoerus
Species	Pteronura brasiliensis	Hydrochoerus isthmius

Evolutionary Relationship

Giant Otter and Lesser Capybara share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Mammals)

Conservation Status

Giant Otter

EN — Endangered

Lesser Capybara

DD — Data Deficient

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Giant Otter	Lesser Capybara
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Giant Otter

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Colombia and Venezuela. Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Lesser Capybara

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Colombia and Venezuela.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 2 countries:

🇨🇴 Colombia 🇻🇪 Venezuela