Hydrochoerinae is a subfamily of Caviidae, consisting of two living genera, Hydrochoerus, the capybaras, and Kerodon, the rock cavies.

The taxonomy of Hydrochoerinae is confused because, until 2005, living capybaras and their extinct relatives were placed in their own family, Hydrochoeridae.

[1] Recent molecular phylogenetic studies recognize a close relationship between Hydrochoerus and Kerodon,[2] supporting placement of both genera in a subfamily of Caviidae.

[3] Paleontological classifications have yet to incorporate this new taxonomy, and continue to use Hydrochoeridae for all capybaras, while using Hydrochoerinae for the living genus and its closest fossil relatives such as Neochoerus.

[4][5][6] This is largely due to the recognition that capybara molar teeth show strong variation in shape over the life of an individual.