It's Capybara Appreciation Day!

Today we’re celebrating one of the most laid-back and lovable animals in the zoo: the capybara.

At Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, we're home to 5 capybaras. They're called Conker, Acorn, Chestnut, Chunk and Caesar. 

Where Capybaras Live

Capybaras are native to South America and are found in countries like Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Venezuela. They live near bodies of water ( like rivers, lakes, swamps, and wetlands) and rely on these habitats to stay cool, escape predators, and forage for food.

They’re well-equipped for a semi-aquatic life, with webbed feet and strong swimming skills. Capybaras can hold their breath underwater for up to five minutes and sometimes even sleep while partially submerged, with just their noses sticking out!

Quick Facts About Capybaras

Excellent Swimmers
Water isn’t just a comfort—it’s essential. Capybaras often retreat to it for safety and temperature regulation, and they’re strong enough swimmers to stay underwater for several minutes at a time.

Unbothered by Company
You might’ve seen photos of birds, monkeys, or even cats sitting on capybaras. These animals are unusually tolerant of other species, which has earned them nicknames like “nature’s sofa.” They don’t seem to mind sharing their space.

Interesting Diet
Capybaras are herbivores and spend a lot of time grazing on grasses and aquatic plants. Like many herbivores, they also eat some of their own droppings—a behaviour known as coprophagy—to help digest tough plant material more efficiently.

Always Chewing
Their teeth grow continuously, so capybaras chew on rough plants and bark to keep them worn down.

Capybara Pups
Baby capybaras—called pups—are born with fur and open eyes. They start nibbling grass within a few days, but they’ll still nurse for a few months. Young capybaras stay close to adults and often move around in a tight group for protection.

What They’re Like

Capybaras are the largest rodents in the world, weighing up to 60 kg (about 130 lbs) and growing over a metre long. Their barrel-shaped bodies are covered in short, coarse fur that helps them blend in with their environment.

They’re also highly social. In the wild, they live in groups of 10 to 20, but larger gatherings—up to 100 individuals—can happen during the dry season, when water sources are limited. A typical group is led by a dominant male and includes several females and their young, along with a few subordinate males.

Capybaras communicate using a variety of sounds—barks, whistles, clicks, and even low purring noises. These vocalizations help them stay in touch with each other and alert the group to danger.

Conservation and What You Can Do

Capybaras are currently listed as a species of Least Concern, which means they aren’t at immediate risk of extinction. But like many animals that rely on wetlands, they’re affected by habitat loss due to deforestation and human development.

Zoos help by supporting conservation programs, contributing to research, and educating visitors about species like the capybara. When you visit and learn more about these animals, you’re helping that work continue.

You can also make a difference by:

• Supporting organisations that protect natural habitats

• Being mindful of your environmental impact

• Talking to others about the importance of biodiversity

Come and visit

If you’re visiting the zoo, be sure to stop by the Viva South America enclosure—right across from the lions—to meet our capybara group. Whether they’re lounging in the shade or paddling around their pool, they’re always worth a visit.

Don't forget you can meet our Capybara's at our Capybara Encounter!