Here are answers to the questions most frequently asked about me:
What do I eat?
Mostly grass, guinea pig food, equine senior, oats, dry fruit (craisens, raisins, etc.), yogurt (esp. blueberry), frosted mini-wheats, popsicles. I don't like fresh fruit or lettuce, spinach, kale or any of the normal guinea pig favorites.
Am I housebroken?
Yes. Capybaras are automatically housebroken since we always want to go to the bathroom in water. I have a bowl of water next to the toilet in the bathroom and another bowl outside. I am a very good capybara and I don't relieve myself in the swimming pool.
Am I affectionate?
Yes. Not like a dog or a cat though. I love to be near my owner and my other friends. I like to be scratched and pet. I like being fed treats. I sometimes sleep in my owner's bed but not as much now that I am bigger. I do like to sit on the couch and put my front paws and head in her lap, but she has to feed me treats to keep me there.
Am I smart?
I am a genius! (Just kidding!) I am smart though. I can walk on a leash (when it suites me), shake hands, stand on my hind feet, climb onto thing on command (like into the car or onto the couch), I can tap someone with a paw to ask for a treat.
Am I friendly?
Yes! I love people, especially kids. My owner sometimes takes me to elementary schools and the kids are always crazy about me. I'll put up with a lot from kids (although they really shouldn't try to ride me). I have a great memory for people and generally remember everyone I meet and treat them differently.
How big will I get?
I think my owner may be relieved that I am reaching my adult size. I expect to top out at around 100 lbs. Females get larger, around 150 lbs.
Do I get along with other animals?
Yes. I have a rabbit co-pet and he only weighs four pounds. We are fine together, although I'm not sure he likes me. The horses sometimes try to step on me, so I don't see much of them. Sometimes I threaten Leopolda, the big leopard tortoise, but there's not much I can do to her. When we go out in public, I frequently see dogs and we generally get along. Some dogs are scared of me but mostly we just sniff each other and let it go at that.
Do I ever get aggressive?
Sad to say that I sometimes do. You can read about it in my blog. I can be quite dangerous when I'm aggressive because these teeth are made for biting! However, this has only happened at home and never when we're out and about. I think I am having territorial issues. My owner thinks females may not have these problems.
Where do I come from?
Ultimately, capybaras come from eastern South America. I was born in Texas though and I'm probably fourth generation captive bred. If you are interested in getting a pet capybara, you can contact Mary Lee at www.capybaras.org.
What are my hobbies?
I like to swim. I have a swimming pool and I swim every day. I only do it with my owner or some other human watching. I don't know, maybe there could be an anaconda in that pool someday and what if no one was there to save me? You may notice that I have webbed feet. Capybaras are semi-aquatic and I am an excellent swimmer.
What kind of animal are you, really?
Capybaras are the world's largest rodents. We are most closely related to guinea pigs, cavys and the like. Our immediate relatives are all from South America but rodents are a very diverse group comprising 1/4 of all mammal species. Other interesting rodents are: guinea pigs (of course), rats, hamsters, beavers, marmots, porcupines and squirrels.
You can view more of my videos at:
http://www.youtube.com/user/caplincapybara
or:
http://www.youtube.com/user/shmaplina
If you'd like a 2008 capybara calendar (half the photos are of me and half of wild capybaras), my owner has made one available at: http://www.lulu.com/content/1748225..
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Small Animal Survey!!!
What kind of small animal are you? capybara
How old are you? 9 months
Where did your owner get you? From a breeder in Texas
Do you have any other animal friends living with you? Yes.
If so, what kinds of animals? Rabbit, sugar glider, snakes, horses, tortoises
Whats your favorite food? grass
Do you like to be held? I'm really too big for that.
Do you poop and pee a lot? Not too much.
Do you love your owners? Yes! (Most of the time.)
Are you overweight? No. I'm athletic.
Do you like to get baths? Yes!!! I love water. I swim every day at least once.
Have you ever??????
Have you ever bitten your owner? Sadly, yes.
If so, why? I went crazy. I'm still not sure I'm recovered.
Have you ever met another animal like you? Not since I left my parents.
Have you ever pee'd on you owner? haha No.
Have you ever been outside? I'm an indoor/outdoor animal.
Have you ever eaten grass? Grass is my favorite food!
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