Igama elithi "Hydrochoeridae" libhekisela emndenini wamagundane ahlala emanzini ngokuvamile aziwa ngokuthi ama-capybaras. Ama-capybara amagundane amakhulu kunawo wonke emhlabeni futhi azalelwa eNingizimu Melika. Zijwayele ukuhlala eduze namanzi, futhi zivame ukutholakala eduze nemifula, amachibi namaxhaphozi. Igama elithi "Hydrochoeridae" lisuselwa egameni lesiGreki elithi "hydro" elisho amanzi kanye nelithi "choiros" elisho ingulube, okusho ukubukeka kwengulube ye-capybara.