Capybaras
Gia Lopez (8)
Capybaras are some of the world’s coolest and cutest animals. They are known for being super chill, playful,and love to hang out in the water. But where did they come from, and can you have one as a pet? Let’s find out!
Capybaras come from North Central Florida in the 1990’s and are considered a rodent. They’re related to guinea pigs but way bigger and can grow to be over 4 feet long and up to 150 pounds. They have been around for millions of years and their bodies are made for swimming. They even have webbed feet to help them swim smoothly in the water. They can even hold their breath for a long time under water just in case there is a predator nearby.
Capybaras are popular for being friendly and relaxed. They will hang out with a bunch of animals like dogs,birds, and sometimes crocodiles. People love looking at cute pictures of them and even watch videos of them swimming. In Japan some zoo’s have baths for capybaras that visitors can watch them in. Their calm personalities and unique facial expressions have gained them a bunch of popularity on social media. Capybaras have even been turned into memes and videos.
If you want to see a capybara in the wild you would have to visit Brazil, Argentina, or Venezuela. They live near rivers, lakes, and wetlands because they need the water resources to live. If you want to see a capybara not in the wild you can visit a zoo or wildlife park around the world. Some zoos or wildlife parks will let you feed them and even pet and take pictures with them. There are some petting zoos that have capybaras for you to rent. Sometimes if you live where the capybaras live they will show up in cities or backyards near rivers.
Having a capybara as a pet isn’t easy. First you will need a big backyard for them to run around in and a big pool or pond for them to swim in. They also don’t like being alone so you will have to get another one so it won’t be lonely. Another big issue is the law, owning a capybara is illegal in many places and in some areas you need a special permit. Plus you would need to find a vet who knows how to take care of and treat a capybara. They eat mostly grass and hay which means you would have to buy a bunch of hay and grass.
Capybaras are amazing animals that are loved by mostly everyone and are liked for their calm friendly nature. They might seem like fun pets but they need a bunch of space, care, and the right environment to be happy. Whether you see them in the zoo, online, or in the wild, there is no doubt that capybaras are some of the coolest animals!