Capybara: features of keeping at home

Capybaras are amazing creatures that are well-known for their sociable and gentle disposition. Even though they are primarily found in South America’s wild places, more and more people are showing interest in keeping them as pets. However, taking care of a capybara differs from taking care of a dog or cat. For these large rodents to flourish in a home setting, certain requirements must be satisfied.

You should know what makes a capybara special before thinking about bringing one into your home. Considerations include their size, food, and social interaction requirements. Furthermore, whether it’s legal to own a capybara in your area may depend on local laws.

All the important information about capybaras and their proper care will be covered in this guide, so read on if you’re ready to learn more. We’ll help you determine if this unique animal is the right fit for your home, from the daily care needs to designing the ideal living area.

Aspect	Details
Size	Capybaras can grow up to 4 feet long and weigh around 100 pounds, so they need plenty of space.
Diet	Capybaras are herbivores and enjoy eating grass, fruits, and vegetables.
Social needs	They are social animals and prefer living in pairs or groups.
Water access	Capybaras love water and need regular access to a pond or a pool to swim and cool down.
Exercise	They require a large outdoor area to roam and explore.
Temperature	Capybaras prefer warm climates and should be kept in environments where temperatures stay above 60°F.
Interaction	Capybaras are friendly and can bond with humans, but they require time and patience to socialize.

Appearance and lifestyle of capybaras

A familiar guinea pig in appearance, the capybara is enormous (body length up to 1.5 m, weight up to 65 kg), with a large, massive head and a blunt, square muzzle. Tiny, rounded ears and eyes are raised. Their short limbs are equipped with blunt claws that they use to dig up the ground in search of tubers, and webbed fingers that help them swim well. The hard, straight fur is a range of yellowish-brown in length, measuring 3–12 cm.

A guinea pig and a capybara share many similarities.

Being gregarious creatures, capybaras reside in groups of fifteen to twenty individuals, each with a dominant male leader and a clear hierarchy. They spend nearly all of their time on their 1 to 10 hectare territory, where they feed on grass, roots, algae, fruits, and other plants. They are nocturnal by nature, but they can become awake during the day if needed. Capybaras never venture far from the coast—never more than one kilometer—because they spend the majority of their lives in or near water. They don’t ever dig burrows. They sleep directly on the ground; they don’t build nests or dig holes.

Capybaras live in small herds in the wild.

Video: Kapibara rodents

Care and maintenance of a water supply at home

Exoticism enthusiasts who don’t mind challenges occasionally start Capibar at home. They are drawn in by the animal’s flexible, light, and non-conflicting nature in addition to its unusual and rather attractive appearance. Woodpecks are easily tamed, acclimatized to their new owner, and even receptive to some training. They get along well with other pets and never act aggressively toward them. But in the event of self-defense, they are able to repel. Make dog-like noises to help you communicate (rumbling, barking).

You can keep capybars as pets at home.

Large rodents cannot be kept in homes in some countries; obtaining a license and getting approval from local authorities are prerequisites.

There is a small herd of capibars at the Novosibirsk Zoo, where we saw them. They are housed in an open enclosure with a large metal mesh lining the bottom during the summer. These animals are apparently experts at burrowing beneath fences. Adorable fluffy pigs run around all the time, sulking and gnawing on something. They occasionally lie spread out on the sand, sleeping.

Video: capybara is friends with everyone

Feeding

Capybaras only consume plant-based foods; they are complete vegetarians. In the house, they can receive:

• hay;
• fresh grass;
• aquatic plants;
• grain (wheat, oats, etc.);
• fruits (apples, pears, bananas, etc.);
• vegetables (zucchini, carrots, etc.);
• melons (melons, watermelons);
• special dry food for rodents.

Supplementing the pet with vitamins and minerals is essential.

Capybaras only consume plant-based foods and are vegetarians.

To allow the capybara to grind down its ever-growing teeth, place branches and twigs in the pen where it is housed.

Aviary

Capybaras require a large enclosure or enclosure to live a convenient and comfortable life; they cannot be kept in cages. The grazing area should have areas with varying degrees of light (sunny and shaded), as well as a large bush where animals can rest in the shade and use the branches to sharpen their teeth. To prevent the animal from escaping to freedom, the enclosure needs to be securely fenced.

Capybaras need to be housed in a large enclosure.

A sizable pond (pool) that is at least 4 meters long and 1 meter deep is required. You’ll need to construct a cozy, heated home in preparation for winter. The pool’s water needs to be heated during the winter. Because they are tropical creatures, capybaras should not be exposed to frost.

A capybara is a rodent that sharpens its teeth on anything that comes in its path, so if you have one at home, be prepared for damage to shoes, furniture, and other items.

Walks

You can go for walks with capybaras in parks, on the street, and other locations. They wear a dog-specific harness for this purpose and fasten a leash to it. The capybara strolls along side, looks around, and acts in a very calm manner.

Leashes are required when walking capybaras.

Bathing

Given that they live in water for approximately half of their lives, capybaras are appropriately nicknamed "water pigs." They can dive, swim, splash, and bathe indefinitely. These aquatic rodents enjoy playing in the pool with their owner, just like dogs do. Their favorite element is water, where they exhibit their strength, agility, and skill. These animals can move at a waddling gallop or a shuffling slow step when on land, and they appear much more awkward.

The capybara is an avid swimmer.

Because they require a swimming pool, capybaras cannot be kept in apartments for this reason. It will require routine water changes to keep the animal clean and well-groomed.

Coat care

The capybara takes care of all hygienic needs on its own; it doesn’t need any extra attention for its fur. However, the animal reacts extremely well to brushing and cleaning, particularly on the belly. It may doze off and purr during this process.

The capybara enjoys being petted and scratched.

Life expectancy

Capybaras can live up to ten or twelve years in captivity. Their lifespan in the wild is rarely longer than 8–10 years.

Even though they are gregarious and sociable animals, capybaras need special attention when kept as pets. They require company, preferably from other capybaras or similar animals, a large, secure area to roam, and access to water for swimming. They should eat vegetables, fresh grass, and lots of water. It’s critical to realize that capybaras are not typical pets and that, in order to thrive in a home environment, they require a great deal of care, attention, and environmental consideration.

Table: pros and cons of keeping a capybara at home

• peaceful and non-aggressive character;
• unpretentiousness;
• affection for the owner;
• sociability and love of affection;
• getting along with other animals;
• cute and cute appearance.

• it is difficult to buy an animal;
• it is almost impossible to find a pair;
• gnaw things and furniture;
• cannot stay alone for a long time;
• a pool or pond is required;
• in cold weather, a warm enclosure and heated water are required.

It’s quite challenging to keep a capybara in an apartment.

Although it calls for careful thought, owning a capybara as a pet can be a unique and rewarding experience. To thrive in a home setting, these kind animals require an ample amount of space, a balanced diet, and access to water.

Even though they are affectionate and gregarious, capybaras might not be suitable for every home. They are best suited for homes with outdoor space and a commitment to their well-being because of their large size and particular care requirements.

With the right attitude and commitment, a capybara can make a devoted friend. Just make sure you study your options and get your house ready to accommodate their needs.

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