The San Diego Zoo is home to the world’s largest rodents, the capybaras, which are native to Central and South America. These semi-aquatic mammals can be found near rivers, ponds, and swampy grasslands, and are known for their vocal communication, using a variety of sounds to interact with each other.
Introducing the San Diego Zoo Capybaras
The San Diego Zoo recently welcomed four capybara pups, born to second-time mother Rosalina and first-time father Bowie. Capybaras are precocial, meaning they are more mature and mobile at birth, and the four pups are already nursing and following their mother. Visitors can see the capybara young at the zoo’s Elephant Odyssey, alongside the Baird’s tapir.
Capybara Characteristics and Behavior
Capybaras are the world’s largest rodents, weighing up to 150 pounds and standing up to 2 feet tall at the shoulder. They have a stocky build, with short legs and a large, barrel-shaped body. Their fur is coarse and varies in color from reddish-brown to grayish-brown, and they have webbed feet that help them swim.
Capybaras are highly social animals and live in groups of up to 20 individuals. They are known for their vocal communication, using a variety of sounds such as barks, chirps, whistles, huffs, and purrs to communicate with each other. They are also known for their ability to swim, and can often be seen floating in the water or grazing on aquatic plants.
Capybara Conservation and Adoption
While capybaras cannot be legally owned as pets in California, the San Diego Zoo offers an adoption program to support the conservation of these unique animals and their habitats. The capybara adoption package costs $1,000 and includes a soft, 9″ capybara plush, a 5″ x 7″ Capybara Adoption card, a backpack, a beach towel, a thermos, and a limited edition pin.
The adoption package supports the conservation of capybaras and their habitats, along with countless other species around the globe. By adopting a capybara, visitors can contribute to the San Diego Zoo’s efforts to protect these fascinating creatures and their ecosystems.
Visiting the San Diego Zoo Capybaras
While visitors cannot pet or touch the capybaras at the San Diego Zoo, they can still enjoy observing these unique animals in their natural habitat. The Elephant Odyssey exhibit is the best place to see the capybaras, where visitors can watch them grazing, swimming, and interacting with each other.
For those who want a more hands-on experience with capybaras, there are other wildlife parks and zoos in Southern California that offer capybara encounters, such as Lions, Tigers, and Bears in Alpine and the Tucson Petting Zoo in Arizona.
Conclusion
The San Diego Zoo is home to a fascinating and unique species of rodent, the capybara. These large, semi-aquatic mammals are known for their vocal communication, social behavior, and swimming abilities. While visitors cannot pet or touch the capybaras at the San Diego Zoo, they can still enjoy observing these captivating creatures and support their conservation through the zoo’s adoption program.
References:
– San Diego Zoo Animals – Capybara
– San Diego Union-Tribune – San Diego Zoo Welcomes Four Capybara Pups
– Reddit – Is There a Place Where I Can Pet and Hang Out with Capybaras?
– San Diego Zoo – Capybara
– San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance – Adopt a Capybara