The Newest, Cutest Baby Animals from the World's Zoos & Aquariums
Then head over to Berlin Zoo. Because there, a one-week-old trio has been exploring the South America shared exhibit on the expansion site since yesterday. Mama Marly and Papa Augustin do not lose sight of the curious pups. After a gestation period of almost five months, the three still nameless capybaras saw the light of day on 16 June.
About two weeks ago, four capybaras were born at Schönbrunn Zoo in Austria. For the two parents, it is the first joint offspring. "The young capybaras still spend the day mainly sleeping and drinking milk – but they also eat some hay. They are precocial, which means that the young animals are already so developed at birth that they can follow the parents independently. Above all, they enjoy the warm weather and from time to time dare to bathe in the water together with the adult animals," reports animal keeper Alexander Keller.
HOUSTON (May 11, 2022) – Double the cuteness at the Houston Zoo! Two healthy capybara pups were born April 11 to first-time mom, Squirt, and dad, Rio. The brother and sister have been named Bruno and Pepa after characters from the beloved children’s film “Encanto.” Squirt gave birth to the pups behind the scenes in the Zoo’s South America’s Pantanal exhibit under supervision of her keepers and veterinary staff. After delivery, Squirt and the pups spent several days bonding privately before making their public debut. This is the third capybara litter the Zoo has had in the past 10 years.
Two capybaras were born in front of visitors to Poland’s Zoo Wroclaw on Sunday, August 23. They are the first babies of this species born here since 2014. The reason for the long break was the zoo’s 7-year-old female Kiler J. After many failed attempts to pair her with a suitable mate, she finally chose 3-year-old Hans as her partner. The sex of the pups is not yet known, but caretakers say that if at least one pup is female, she will be named for the visitor who first reported the birth.
The capybara (Latin Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) is the largest rodent in the world. Males reach a body weight of about 30 kg. In the wild, its range is almost all of South America.
If it resembles a guinea pig, that’s because the species are closely related.
The capybara population in the wild is currently stable, but in South America, soybean cultivation threatens its natural habitat. Like all wild animals, Capybaras make terrible pets.
Belfast Zoo is delighted to announce the birth of their third set of Capybara babies in the past year!
The Zoo’s Capybara couple, Chester and Lola, has produced happy ‘capy’ babies three times in the last nine months. The loved up couple welcomed the first pair in April 2018, followed by the second set in July, and the most recent babies in late December.
Belfast Zoo is now home to an impressive herd of 17 Capybaras. The newest male and female offspring have not yet been named.
Photo Credits: Belfast Zoo
Capybaras are the largest rodents in the world and are often found on Central and South American riverbanks, beside ponds and in marshes. The semi-aquatic mammal can dive underwater for up to five minutes and typically live in family groups of 10 to 40. The vocal animals communicate using barks, whistles, huffs and purrs. The species’ biggest threat is their skin, which is in high demand in South America.
Zoo curator, Raymond Robinson, said, "Although the species is not currently classified as endangered, Capybaras are facing increasing danger in their natural habitat, so it is important for zoos to raise awareness of this species and help to sustain their population. We are delighted at Lola and Chester’s successful births over such a short period of time. Our Capybara’s reside in a grassy habitat along our lake walk and live alongside some other South American species including Giant Anteater and Darwin’s Rhea. We hope our visitors will enjoy seeing our little Capybara babies over the upcoming half-term holidays.”
The Wellington Zoo welcomed an extra large litter of Capybara pups on October 25. First-time mother Iapa delivered seven pups – the normal litter size is three to four pups, but the litter size can range from one to eight.
The care team is keeping a watchful eye on mom and pups to ensure that each is nursing and developing properly. Keepers noted that Iapa is a bit exhausted but she’s doing well. For now, the new family is living in a private den where Iapa can bond with her babies.
Capybaras are the world’s largest Rodent species and are native to South America. They inhabit a variety of habitats including forests and grasslands and usually live near water.
Though not listed as being under threat, Capybaras are hunted extensively for their meat. They live groups of 10-20 individuals.
See more photos of the babies below.
Cotswold Wildlife Park is home to a diverse collection of over 1,500 animals from 250 different species. This includes the Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), a giant rodent species from South America that is probably best described by zoologist, Desmond Morris, as “a cross between a Guinea-pig and a Hippopotamus”. It is the largest living rodent in the world and the last remnant of a long line of gigantic grass-eating rodents that evolved in South America over millions of years.
The Park’s new breeding pair were introduced last year and bonded straight away. Due to their large barrel-like build, mammal keepers were unaware their female, Belle, was pregnant until they discovered the newborn twins by her side during their recent morning checks.
Photo & Video Credits: Cotswold Wildlife Park
Belle and Ollie are proving to be attentive first-time parents, but the arrival of their first pups has not curbed Ollie’s amorous interest in his new partner. Keepers are hopeful the new family group will grow in numbers and the Park’s successful Capybara breeding record will continue.
Curator of Cotswold Wildlife Park, Jamie Craig, commented, “Capybara babies are always extremely popular with the keepers and our visitors. They are born looking like a miniature version of their parents and are soon exploring the enclosure and swimming in their pool. We have had great success with this species over the years and it is reassuring to know that this new pair will continue that tradition”.
After a gestation period of 150 days, females give birth to highly precocial young (just as well considering the vulnerable pups are a food source for many large predators in their native homeland). Anacondas, Caimans, Jaguars and humans hunt this species for their meat. Newborns weigh approximately 1.5kg and are able to graze within hours of birth. (A full-grown Capybara can weigh up to 65kg.) The young will continue to suckle until they are approximately four months old and will stay with their parents for roughly one year.
At just two days old, visitors and keepers witnessed the newborns tentatively taking their first steps into the water.
Water is a vital resource for this semi-aquatic species; it is used not only for drinking, but also to control their body temperature and as an escape from predators. Capybaras usually mate in the water. They can even sleep underwater by leaving their noses exposed to the air. Their water-resistant fur, partially webbed feet and position of their eyes and nostrils on the top of their heads enables them to remain almost completely submerged but still able to hear, see and smell what is happening on dry land nearby.
Unusually for a rodent, even the male’s scent gland, which most other rodents carry on their cheeks, is on the top of his nose. Their scientific name (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) means ‘water horse’.