National Zoological Garden in Pretoria once again has capybaras
The zoo last exhibited capybaras in 1999. It's first group of capybaras was displayed in 1980.
The National Zoological Garden in Pretoria, is proud to announce that it will once again house capybaras at the zoo.
Capybaras are the largest rodents in the animal kingdom.
The zoo last exhibited capybaras in 1999. It’s first group of capybaras was displayed in 1980.
One male and two female capybaras now call the zoo home.
According to Angeliné Schwan, department of marketing, communication and commercialisation, like beavers, capybaras are strong swimmers.
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“Their pig-shaped bodies are adapted for life in water found in forests, seasonally flooded savannas, and wetlands.
“Their toes are partially webbed for paddling around and their reddish to dark brown fur is long and brittle – perfect for drying out quickly on land,” said Schwan.
She added that like other rodents, their teeth grow continuously.
“They wear them down by grazing on aquatic plants and grasses.
“They also eat their own faeces in the morning – the grasses that make up their diet is difficult to digest. Their waste breaks down the vegetation,” she said.
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