We already have 3 dogs and will soon have backyard chickens, but that’s about all the city lets us own. If we ever move to a bigger place in the country, I’d love to rescue animals. One that my son is really interested in is the capybara. So it got me thinking, what’s it actually like to take care of a capybara? Anyone here have any experience? Let me know!
They always portray them as harmless cuddle bear rodents who are super chill with all the other farm animals.
The truth is, they’re still wild animals and they are unpredictable.
Capybaras are known to be very territorial, and they can bite if they feel threatened. They can do a lot of damage with their teeth and can carry diseases that humans and other animals can catch from them.
Capybaras have sharp teeth that are designed for eating plants, grasses, seeds, fruits and nuts. They also have an impressive jaw muscle for grinding up these foods before swallowing them whole. Capybara jaws work like a vice grip; if you get bitten by one you will know about it! Here’s a link to more info: Are Capybaras Dangerous – Capybara
What I don’t like about this article is it’s saying because capybaras are not carnivores, they’re not dangerous. Herbivores can be dangerous too, because they have to defend against predators and sometimes fight for females. The article also says they have an incredible bite force and are territorial.
They are, in fact, very territorial. Here’s a video showing this: https://youtu.be/FGbccXry-rc
I’m not sharing all the cute videos because they often don’t show the other side of capybaras that’s less well-known. I was interested in them for a while too. But after doing some real research, I found out why they aren’t as common as pets and why they often end up abandoned or in sanctuaries by owners who didn’t know what they were getting into.
Capybaras are also mostly aquatic. They need a big, deep pool or pond and acres of land to be happy. Most people just can’t provide that kind of space or water for them. Here’s a video showing their aquatic needs: https://youtu.be/wE6pEsjgdHo
@Remy
Holy shit, good to know!
@Remy
I had no idea, they just look like giant guinea pigs! In the video, the capy seems very temperamental. After watching those videos, I feel bad for them being in captivity… They are wild animals. I would only consider it if they needed rescuing and we had the space. Thanks for the real info and not the fluffy stuff!
They’re not as good pets as the internet makes it seem.
They’re not always gentle animals. They get really large, have massive teeth that can shred through bone, and can be territorial and defensive. Males will protect their females when they’re in season. The young ones are usually the most skittish and can bite or scratch when being tamed, so a child isn’t a good option for owning one. Once the capybara gets to adult size, it will weigh 75-120lbs and can easily knock someone down or hurt them if irritated.
They poop in massive amounts, and use piles to mark territory. They also poop in any water source available to them. Any small pool or tub will quickly become foul and need cleaning every day. They can’t live without water, it’s a must for them. There’s also a distinct musky smell to their fur, which some people might not like clinging to their clothes and home afterward. Their poop is ‘tarry,’ which means it smears and is really sticky, making it hard to clean.
Their diet requires daily hay, which is expensive, and they can’t live on just grass. They’re also socially dependent, so you can’t just have one. They need a group, but two males will fight if there aren’t enough females or resources, so you need at least three, maybe more. It’s hard to tell their gender when they’re young, so you might end up with more males than you want.
Basically, I’d encourage your son to watch more videos about capybaras, and maybe visit a place where they can be seen in person (there’s even a Capybara Cafe in Vancouver, BC). That way, you can see the reality of their poop, smell, size, and behavior to decide if they’d be a good fit for your home. In most cases, they’re not the best pet. You should also check legality, as many states are cracking down on them as invasive animals, and they’re illegal in about 10-20 states right now.
@Storm
Wow! I had no idea! Thanks for the real side of capybara care.
Eli said:
@Storm
Wow! I had no idea! Thanks for the real side of capybara care.
You may as well just get a guinea pig…or maybe a mini goat, if you have the space for a small goat shed in your yard.
@Storm
Where’s the capy cafe in Vancouver? I remember seeing an April Fools’ thing about it but didn’t think it was real.
Fred bit me once. He’s my adult capybara, but that was a long time ago. Now he’s a gentle giant.