CAPYBARA
Masters of the Grass
Capybaras are truly "Masters of the Grass". They are also Masters of the marshlands in their native
country, South America.
Capybaras are the world’s largest living rodents. They are commonly called "water hogs" in South
America
or "Orinoca", meaning, Hydrochoerus, water pig.
Capybaras adapt very easily to the different climates in our country. The latest interest in raising capybara
prompted me to write this article. Since I have received a large volume of inquiries, I thought the readers
would enjoy the facts verses the myths.
Masters of the Grass
Capybaras are truly "Masters of the Grass". They are also Masters of the marshlands in their native
country, South America.
Capybaras are the world’s largest living rodents. They are commonly called "water hogs" in South
America
or "Orinoca", meaning, Hydrochoerus, water pig.
Capybaras adapt very easily to the different climates in our country. The latest interest in raising capybara
prompted me to write this article. Since I have received a large volume of inquiries, I thought the readers
would enjoy the facts verses the myths.
The number one question is ...Do capybaras make good pets?
Capybaras make great outside pets. Many people want to bring them in the house and try to "potty "train
them. These are basically wild animals. They can be brought in if you want your rugs chewed, table legs
gnawed, curtains pulled off the windows, and a possible mess in the floor.
Outside they swim, run, eat and lounge in the sun during the day. Feeding time is a special time for then
and for you. They will stand up and beg for corn, follow you around the yard and my pet would love to get
in your lap. They bond with what there are raised with at the time. More times than none it will be you.
The bathroom training is an out side pan. Capybaras are semi aquatic animals and require water for daily.
Their skin requires water and warmth. The chewing is a natural thing for them. They have teeth at birth
and the chewing is done to grind their teeth. If the teeth grow too quickly they will grow into the upper
portion of the mouth and prevent their eating.
Do capybaras bite? Yes can bite and will do so. It is their defense for protection. Just keep your fingers
away from them and do not try to grab them quickly. They prefer to initiate the affection.
Are they aggressive? Only if provoked by another capybara at he feeding pan. They are truly gentle giants.
Do they dig? No they do not dig like hogs. They will go under any possible opening and can squeeze
through a small crack. If they get out it is very difficult to chase. They are really fast runners. They can turn
on a dime. On occasion I have had one to climb a three foot chain link fence when the dominant male
chased him.
Can they be trained? The key is patience and repetitive behaviors. They respond to verbal calls, whistles
and of course feed buckets. They also respond to their names as they get older. They twirl, run and stand
on their hind legs for food.
What do they eat? They are grass lovers. They love fruits and vegetables. They drink milk replacer, puppy
chow, cattle creeper pellets, rabbit pellets, rodent food, and bread .
Capybaras make great outside pets. Many people want to bring them in the house and try to "potty "train
them. These are basically wild animals. They can be brought in if you want your rugs chewed, table legs
gnawed, curtains pulled off the windows, and a possible mess in the floor.
Outside they swim, run, eat and lounge in the sun during the day. Feeding time is a special time for then
and for you. They will stand up and beg for corn, follow you around the yard and my pet would love to get
in your lap. They bond with what there are raised with at the time. More times than none it will be you.
The bathroom training is an out side pan. Capybaras are semi aquatic animals and require water for daily.
Their skin requires water and warmth. The chewing is a natural thing for them. They have teeth at birth
and the chewing is done to grind their teeth. If the teeth grow too quickly they will grow into the upper
portion of the mouth and prevent their eating.
Do capybaras bite? Yes can bite and will do so. It is their defense for protection. Just keep your fingers
away from them and do not try to grab them quickly. They prefer to initiate the affection.
Are they aggressive? Only if provoked by another capybara at he feeding pan. They are truly gentle giants.
Do they dig? No they do not dig like hogs. They will go under any possible opening and can squeeze
through a small crack. If they get out it is very difficult to chase. They are really fast runners. They can turn
on a dime. On occasion I have had one to climb a three foot chain link fence when the dominant male
chased him.
Can they be trained? The key is patience and repetitive behaviors. They respond to verbal calls, whistles
and of course feed buckets. They also respond to their names as they get older. They twirl, run and stand
on their hind legs for food.
What do they eat? They are grass lovers. They love fruits and vegetables. They drink milk replacer, puppy
chow, cattle creeper pellets, rabbit pellets, rodent food, and bread .
Baby capybaras are picnicking in the back yard drinking milk and eating their vegetables and fruit.
How big do they get? The size depends greatly on their intake. The breeding stock provides them the
genetics. Certain ones are very large and the other the size of a hog. Adults grow to one hundred to two
hundred and fifty pounds.
How big do they get? The size depends greatly on their intake. The breeding stock provides them the
genetics. Certain ones are very large and the other the size of a hog. Adults grow to one hundred to two
hundred and fifty pounds.
How long do they live? In the wild the life span is estimated to eight to ten years. In captivity they can live
longer. The care they receive in captivity allows them the safety from predators.
At what age do they breed? Documented age is from eight months of age to one year old. Again the care
and nutrition is the key to good production. Gestation is one hundred and fifty days. They can have two
litters each year. In order for them to reproduce the babies have to be taken at the age of a week to ten
days.
The litters range from one to eight
longer. The care they receive in captivity allows them the safety from predators.
At what age do they breed? Documented age is from eight months of age to one year old. Again the care
and nutrition is the key to good production. Gestation is one hundred and fifty days. They can have two
litters each year. In order for them to reproduce the babies have to be taken at the age of a week to ten
days.
The litters range from one to eight
What type of diseases do they get? Like any animal they will catch a cold, parasites, and allergies. Physical
injuries occur. They hit fences and get cuts and bruises. They are susceptible to the pesticides and
chemicals. They have loose stools regularly. Again what they put in their mouth will come out the other
end. They are generally hardy creatures.
What size pens do they require? The pens certainly have to be large enough for the animals to have
romping room, places to hide and how an area for them to call heir domain. A back yard with an adequate
fence is fine. Depending on the climate, housing is a must. A metal shed with straw and a source of heat
works great. They will spend most of the day resting and night time roaming. A pond is an ideal commodity
for them.
Why would anyone want a "big rat"? Many reasons: they have wonderful personalities, keep your grass
cut, and for animal lovers they can provide a source of income and a joy to have around.
On the other side they produce beautiful leather. In South America they are eaten as a low fat, tender and
a scrumptious meal. I read that "Thanksgiving without capybara would be like the United States without
turkey" in South America. Capybara meat is considered a white meat.
injuries occur. They hit fences and get cuts and bruises. They are susceptible to the pesticides and
chemicals. They have loose stools regularly. Again what they put in their mouth will come out the other
end. They are generally hardy creatures.
What size pens do they require? The pens certainly have to be large enough for the animals to have
romping room, places to hide and how an area for them to call heir domain. A back yard with an adequate
fence is fine. Depending on the climate, housing is a must. A metal shed with straw and a source of heat
works great. They will spend most of the day resting and night time roaming. A pond is an ideal commodity
for them.
Why would anyone want a "big rat"? Many reasons: they have wonderful personalities, keep your grass
cut, and for animal lovers they can provide a source of income and a joy to have around.
On the other side they produce beautiful leather. In South America they are eaten as a low fat, tender and
a scrumptious meal. I read that "Thanksgiving without capybara would be like the United States without
turkey" in South America. Capybara meat is considered a white meat.
Two Guato Indians carrying the skinned capybara through the village. The meat was prepared for us to eat
that day. Capybara is the main source of food for the Guatos. This elegant dish is rice, manioc and boiled
capybara
that day. Capybara is the main source of food for the Guatos. This elegant dish is rice, manioc and boiled
capybara
The locals of South America call the capybara"Carpincho". Many leather goods are sold as "Carpincho".
Top grade leather items from the capybara are natural, blond color. Many of the items are dyed darker
brown.
What is the survival rate of the baby capybara? In captivity it is usually one hundred percent. The care and
protection from predator and obstacles on your farm is the key. A safe warm area with water is a must. In
the wild only one of twenty will survive.
.
Do they travel well? They travel as well as any animal. They require ample room in a pet carrier. The cost of
shipping depends on the weight. The temperature in locations is a factor in shipping.
How many times have we heard that the female species make the best pet? With capybara the males are
equal. My big pet "Little" I have written about is a great pet, she is a female. I have two young males in the
back yard that are the biggest pest I have owned. They know their name and will perform as I go to the
pen. They "dance" for me and twirl as I speak to them. They are at the fence when they hear my voice. I
know they are performing for food treats. That is fine with me as I also know I can pet them and get some
special looks from those big eyes.
Can just anyone own a capybara? NO they have to check with their state government.Every state has the
rules. You need to check with the Game and Fish Department in your state. The capybara is a rodent and
certain sates require permits to own the different animals.
For further information please go to capybaras.org
Mary Lee Stropes
Shad EE Shack Farm
Booneville, Arkansas 72927
Top grade leather items from the capybara are natural, blond color. Many of the items are dyed darker
brown.
What is the survival rate of the baby capybara? In captivity it is usually one hundred percent. The care and
protection from predator and obstacles on your farm is the key. A safe warm area with water is a must. In
the wild only one of twenty will survive.
.
Do they travel well? They travel as well as any animal. They require ample room in a pet carrier. The cost of
shipping depends on the weight. The temperature in locations is a factor in shipping.
How many times have we heard that the female species make the best pet? With capybara the males are
equal. My big pet "Little" I have written about is a great pet, she is a female. I have two young males in the
back yard that are the biggest pest I have owned. They know their name and will perform as I go to the
pen. They "dance" for me and twirl as I speak to them. They are at the fence when they hear my voice. I
know they are performing for food treats. That is fine with me as I also know I can pet them and get some
special looks from those big eyes.
Can just anyone own a capybara? NO they have to check with their state government.Every state has the
rules. You need to check with the Game and Fish Department in your state. The capybara is a rodent and
certain sates require permits to own the different animals.
For further information please go to capybaras.org
Mary Lee Stropes
Shad EE Shack Farm
Booneville, Arkansas 72927
