Meeting the giant guinea pigs (capybaras)

Swissgreys

Swissgreys

Moderator
Senior Guinea Pig
Joined
Mar 15, 2016
Messages
11,390
Reaction score
27,272
Points
2,165
Location
Zürich, Switzerland
When we go on holiday everyone gets to choose one special activity, and it was no surprise to anyone when DD1 (Ruby's devoted slave) chose to meet the 'Giant Ruby's' (more commonly known as capybaras :)) ).

They are wonderful creatures and very similar to guinea pigs in lots of ways.
We got to feed them their breakfast, which is pretty much the same as what our guinea pigs get, only in much larger quantities.

The most obvious difference was their webbed feet and love of water.
They are excellent swimmers and can hold their breath for up to 5 minutes to escape from predators.
The three that we fed weighed between 45 and 52 kgs (just like our guinea pigs they also get weighed weekly), and can grow up to 70kgs :yikes:

So despite doing lots of amazing things on holiday, I think feeding the capybaras was definitely the highlight for DD1.
IMG_3710.webpIMG_3748.webpIMG_3753.webp
 
Aw I just love capybaras! One year we took our students to a safari park to make enrichment activities for the animals, and I helped thread carrot and apple slices onto apple tree branches for the capybaras to eat :) I always sort of wish my piggies could be capybara sized and shaped then they could come to bed for cuddles and I could take them swimming!
 
I would love to do that, the Capybaras always seem to be asleep when we go to Bristol Zoo. I'm really jealous you lucky people.
 
Awesome! Our local zoo will let buy special 'behind the scenes' animal experiences and one of them is feeding/patting capybaras... it's on my birthday list! My kids always called them 'big Linneys' (Linney being one of our original guinea pigs with a very broad head/nose and a real capybara look to her!)
 
After this DD1 looked online and apparently it is possible to keep them as pets, but thankfully not easy to do, so it looks like we have been spared the invasion of the 'Big Ruby's', becasue no one really needs giant Ruby's in their life :))
I am so pleased that we did it though - well worth doing if you ever get the chance.
 
When I was at the zoo a few months ago, I told a friend I was there and he was basically like "ooooh have you seen them yet?!" I didn't have to ask, I knew he meant the capybaras lol. They really are amazing animals.
 
They are a truly beautiful animal and that fact they are distant relatives of the furry overlords makes them all more special. What a fab holiday experience!
 
Swissgreys said:
After this DD1 looked online and apparently it is possible to keep them as pets, but thankfully not easy to do, so it looks like we have been spared the invasion of the 'Big Ruby's', becasue no one really needs giant Ruby's in their life :))
I am so pleased that we did it though - well worth doing if you ever get the chance.
Click to expand...
Not sure I would want to poo pick the capybara cage. :))
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top