Capybara
Discovered: Late 1700s
Location: South America
When it comes to rodents, the Capybara happens to be the king. The species is the largest rodent on the planet today. Many weigh in over 100 pounds and stand as high as the average domestic dog. At first sight, you might not see any rodent-like qualities. They somewhat favor hamsters, but they most certainly have more in common with guinea pigs. This is not shocking to see, as guinea pigs come from the same area in the world. No, not Guinea but South America.
Capybaras are native to a large portion of South America, nearly all of the central and eastern portions. The species is highly social, which might explain why they tend to travel in relatively large packs. It might also explain why they tend to be alright with humans around them. Even wild capybara have allowed humans to pet them. As long as they are not threatened, the species is pretty tame. Capybaras were once hunted tremendously, causing them to nearly be endangered. Overall, they are clearly one of the most unique animals you could ever see.