The phrase king of rodents is not an official scientific title but is used informally to refer to the largest or most impressive rodent, and the most common animal given this nickname is the capybara. The capybara, native to South America, is the largest living rodent in the world, weighing up to 140 to 170 pounds and reaching about four feet long, so its size and calm, social nature have earned it the nickname king of rodents or king of the rodents in popular culture and internet memes. In some contexts, people call the beaver the king of rodents because of its engineering skills, building large dams and lodges that shape entire ecosystems, and its historical importance in the fur trade. In pest control contexts, the Norway rat is sometimes jokingly called the king of rodents in cities because it is the most dominant and adaptable urban rodent. In ancient times, large extinct rodents like Josephoartigasia, which weighed over a ton, would have been the true king in terms of size. Among pet rodents, some owners call their fancy rats the kings due to their intelligence and affectionate nature. So while there is no official king, the capybara is the most widely recognized holder of the informal title due to being the largest living rodent and having a gentle, king-like demeanor among other animals.
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