The very thought of having Capybara as pets brings along the fundamental question; Are you a right fit for petting capybara? Well, there are many multiple facets of this question, from Do capybaras make good pets to whether you can keep a capybara as pets?
The answer to these two along with a few more similar queries is about to be addressed in this article. At the end of this article, you’ll find yourself well-equipped with the key qualities to raise a happy capybara.
Contents
Capybara as Pets
| Weight of capybaras | 77 to 150 pounds/ 35 to 68 Kg |
| Height of capybaras | 20 to 24 inches/50 to 61 cm |
| Lifespan of capybaras | 12 years as a pet capybara 4-8 years |
| Habitat of capybaras | rainforests, scrublands, grasslands, swamps, and marshes |
| Scientific name of capybaras | Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris |
Behavior of Capybara as Pets
Being an exotic pet, taking care of a capybara as pets is a bit more taxing than most of the popular pets yet it is fun. You’ll be shocked to know these cute creatures have nostrils located on their heads. This Is to help them breathe while they are playing in the water. There is so much more to explore about these humongous exotic animals.
Their scientific name is Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris. If you spot them in their natural habitats, you’re most likely to find them in a herd of 20 to 50 or even more. Pet capybara is also called “Nature’s ottoman”.
Capybaras originally belong to central and Southern America. Naturally, they’re found near riverbanks and are known for their reverence for water.
Another jaw-dropping fact about capybara as pets is that they eat their feces. Yes, capybaras are coprophagous. However, this doesn’t make them ineligible from being appropriate for petting. They eat that only to enhance their digestive system. In the usual meal, they are simple herbivores feeding on grass, fruits, and vegetables.
Capybaras are quite sizable which makes them a bit hard to handle. You might find them resemble guinea pigs, this may be because they belong to the same family. The largest among them might weigh as much as an average adult human. Capybara puppies weigh around 1-2 lbs.
Can You Have a Capybara As Pets
Ranging from pet to pet, there exists a unique checklist for raising a pet. You can and can not keep Capybara as pets depending upon factors such as your financial condition, space availability, legal obligation, and co-pets you are already raising or would adopt sooner or later.
The answer to ‘can you own a capybara as pets’ is yes, you can until and unless the legal system of your locality permits. In many regions such as California, Georgia, New York, and others capybara pets are considered illegal. To check whether petting capybara is legal in your state, you can visit their official website or can have a word with the local wildlife authorities.
They are semi-aquatic rodents so before searching for “where to buy capybara” be ready to arrange proper conditions for their accommodation. They usually belong to the rainforest though they thrive in lowlands as well.
Also, they come in pairs to survive the best. So, if you’re thinking that can you have a capybara as pets, yes, and that too not once but twice. An average capybara’s lifespan ranges between 10-15 years.
Do Capybaras Make Good Pets
Now, that you know if you can keep a capybara as pets or not” let’s see Do capybaras make good pets or not based on their nature.
Covered in stringy brown hair, capybara as pets is surely a unique choice. Considering behavioral traits yes capybaras do make good pets. But, if you include the angle of how demanding they are as a pet you’ll end up changing your decision.
A happy capybara has a strong connection with water. They need water for both mating and defecating. Water and mud are two must-haves in their abodes. So, they’ll be a good pet for you if you can afford these arrangements.
Approaching it from the training aspect, capybaras’ parents are among the luckiest. If you have had a dog earlier and now you are interested in capybara as pets you’ll find the touch different. Similar to dogs they are highly affectionate and do activities such as twirling to capture the eyes of their owners.
So, once you have made up your mind to adopt them, be ready to devote a good percentage of your time in the beginning. See a veterinarian beforehand to avoid further health complications.
Capybaras Characteristics:
Covered in the dense cost of brown fur, capybaras are short-legged, with little to no tail rodents. They belong to the Caviidae family of rodents.
Now let’s see their behavioral characteristics:
- Capybaras may have teary eyes and noses, so don’t mistake them for an emotional capybaras. It is a common health problem in capybaras.
- Capybaras are mostly clean pets but they do eat their feces being coprophagous.
- These cute social rodents need water as an inevitable part of their life. Their territorial needs are very limited. They possess a body adapted for water as well. Their webbed feet help them sail in water bodies. Not just water but clean water is their elixir of life.
- Capybara pets have ever-growing front teeth.
- They are the largest rodents in the world. They can weigh anything around 170 pounds.
- Being intricately related to guinea pigs, capybaras are nicknamed ‘water hogs’ and ‘swamp hogs’.
- Similar to cows, capybaras also regurgitate their food.
- They are partially nocturnal by nature.
How Much Does a Capybara Cost
Budgeting is an inevitable part of the planning of owning a capybara pet. Like any other pet, whether you own a capybara or not is influenced by your capacity to spend.
Capybaras as a pet can cost anything between $1000-$3000. IUCN hasn’t declared them exotic or endangered mammals to date.
Do Capybara as Pets Like Humans
These webbed feet social rodents are calm most of the time. They are highly affectionate towards humans. Also, capybaras are trainable so, you can even teach them a few tricks.
Capybara as pets can’t be called an outdoor pet as they are majorly settled indoors. If you happen to own a capybara puppy, you’ll need to keep them under strict surveillance as outdoor weather for them is highly restricted.
These giant rodents are docile and quite well-behaved. Not instantly but once they form a connection with their parents they are most likely to be as loyal as dogs. So, you can proceed to include them in your family without any second thoughts.
Issue In Raising Capybara as Pets
If you’re also thinking about can you have a pet capybara or not, hold not as we are about to discuss the major problem around owning and raising a Capybara based on the experiences of capybaras parents.
- Water Is Inevitable
The first step in taking care of a capybara is providing them with a constant supply of water that is too clean, preferably with an automated water changing system. They are blessed swimmers and would be usually seen lying clumsily near riverbanks in their natural habitat.
- Big Housing
Capybaras needs large accommodation to live. They are quite sizable and require a playing mate. It is advised and moral to buy capybaras in pairs.
- Colder months are problems
Capybaras do not enjoy colder months. Provide them with an abode with regulated coldness in winter. Natural lighting is very important to breed capybara as pets
- Social animals
They are social animals and need a companion capybara for a smooth breeding process. Always go for two capybaras at the time of buying them.
- Expensive
They are quite expensive to buy in the first place. But the list of expenses doesn’t seem to stop even after that. You’ll have to spend a lot on raising a healthy and happy capybara.
- Teeth related issues
A capybara pet can suffer from a variety of teeth-related issues, so proper dental care and a vitamin C supplement supply are crucial for them. To save your capybara from teeth problems like scurvy consult a veterinarian beforehand.
Does Capybara Bite
Pet capybaras are also poached so they might bite as a reaction to feeling threatened. Biting habits in capybara pets are a projection of their way to defend themselves. These giant hamster-like animals are the largest living rodents in the world. But this doesn’t make them deadly mammals. They aren’t aggressive and they do not bite for fun.
Are Capybaras Intelligent
Yes, capybaras are quite intelligent. Capybara’s way of communication reflects their intelligence. Vocal sounds and body languages are what comprise capybaras’ communication.
Also, due to their intelligent and interactive nature, they are easy to train. A Pet capybara has an on-point group synchronization.
Like dogs and cats, a pet capybara can decipher their wishes quite easily to their owners. Which proves them to be no less than them in terms of intelligence.
How to Take Care of a Capybara as Pet?
Capybaras are prone to have broken teeth, during their developing age. Give them Vitamin C supplements on veterinarian advice. They are a bit clumsy by default so buy some ointments beforehand. There isn’t any genetic health condition that a pet capybara is prone to except for these.
Being a South American native pet, capybara tends to like warmer weather conditions. Make sure to have an outdoor pool with regular filtration for them before buying them.
The feeding part would be the simplest in the process of Taking care of a capybara. They don’t need a special diet. You’ll need some fruits, vegetables, hay, and grass to feed them. Make them chew some bamboo sticks. Include melons and grains to enrich their diet.
Capybaras like resting along the banks if left alone. This explains their reverence for water in general.
While you try raising a happy capybara, be careful about its mental health as well.
To Wrap Up
The thought of breeding the world’s largest rodent seems daunting at first but once you’ll get accustomed to their lousy hugs, no other pet would seem as affectionate to you. In this article, we have all the aspects of petting capybaras. Now, it is all up to you to figure out whether you find capybara as pets compatible to raised or not.
Read more
What is capybara – everything about cute capybaras
Can capybaras be pets?
Yes of course capybaras can be petted. Capybaras make good pets when kept in suitable circumstances.
Where Capybaras are found geographically?
Native to the central and southern parts of America they can be found in northern Argentina. The species lesser capybaras, who are small-sized can be found in Northwestern Columbia and western Panama.
Are Capybaras hunted?
Yes, sadly these cute capybaras are also poached for various reasons. Lesser capybaras (smaller ones that weigh around 28 kg) are hunted for eating purposes. Their skin is also taken into use for leather art and craft.
Is it safe to breed a capybara?
They are extremely social and fun-loving.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. Can capybaras be pets?
Yes of course capybaras can be petted. Capybaras make good pets when kept in suitable circumstances. However, you cannot own, import, sell, or export a capybara if you are a resident of a state where capybaras as pets are restricted.
Q. What to feed capybara pets?
Capybaras are herbivores and eat grass, hay, fruits, and vegetables. You can also get their customized diets from consultation with a veterinarian. Packaged capybaras like any other pet food are also available in the market. They cover all the essential vitamins and minerals needed to boost their playtime.
Q. Where Capybaras are found geographically?
Native to the central and southern parts of America they can be found in northern Argentina. The species lesser capybaras, who are small-sized can be found in Northwestern Columbia and western Panama.
Q. Are Capybaras hunted?
Yes, sadly these cute capybaras are also poached for various reasons. Lesser capybaras (smaller ones that weigh around 28 kg) are hunted for eating purposes. Their skin is also taken into use for leather art and craft.
Q. Is it safe to breed a capybara?
They might bite when sensing a threat, but this is something a dog or any other common domesticated pet would do. But capybara as pets is not as safe as commonly domesticated pets. Though they are extremely social and fun-loving.
