The Aspinall Foundation Blog

Capybara Pups Make A Splash On Their Debut!

Written by Amanda McCabe | 25-May-2018 16:00:17

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve are delighted to welcome two new capybara pups, born earlier this May.

Closely related to guinea pigs, these two adorable infants, indigenous to the savannah and dense forest along the Amazon and throughout South America, can claim to be the largest rodent in the world, weighing up to 65 kilos when fully grown!    

The close proximity of their natural habitat to water has ensured these mammals are highly adapted to an aquatic lifestyle.  They even have slightly webbed toes on their front and back feet and the ability to stay submerged for up to 5 minutes! 

No surprise that these curious pups quickly sought out the pool located in their enclosure homed in the South American Experience; a watery nursery to help hone their skills and indulge in a bit of fun under the watchful eye of their parents and keepers.