Content
- Characteristics of capybaras
- Capybara feeding
- The capybara as a pet
- Advice and care for capybaras as pets
- The health of domestic capybaras
- Domestication of capybaras
- Conclusion on the idea of adopting a capybara
If you want to have a capybara as a pet It is essential that there is a garden in your house in which you can install a plastic swimming pool of some size. If you observe the animal's morphology, you will notice that it is a clearly aquatic species: eyes and ears on top of the head and membranes between the toes. If you want your capybara to be happy and healthy, you must provide it with a suitable habitat. Continue reading this article by Animal Expert and discover the basics of having a capybara as a pet.
Characteristics of capybaras
At capybaras are animals from South and Central America. They are the largest rodents that exist and are divided into two species: Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris isthmius, which is the smallest of both species, and the Hydrochoreus hydrochaeris hydrochaeris, which has a larger size. the capybaras can weigh up to 65 kg, in the case of larger females. Males weigh 10 to 15 kg less.
Capybara feeding
Capybaras feed on herbs, lacustrine algae and occasionally, like the guinea pigs, on their own detritus to make the most of the food. The final stool has an oval shape and is dry. In captivity they eat watermelon, corn, lettuce, and a wide range of fruits and vegetables.
Capybaras do not produce by themselves the Vitamin CTherefore, when in captivity we should give them supplements in order to avoid scurvy, or provide them with food rich in this vitamin.
The capybara as a pet
Capybara can be domesticated. It is a clean and affable animal if it abides by a series of very important rules. First of all, it must be taken into account that capybaras live in groups. Only a few males have a solitary life.
Therefore, if you only want to adopt one specimen, it is preferable that it be male. If you can have several: male and female, or female and female can be a good combination.
In any case males must be sterilized, to prevent them from becoming aggressive when they reach adulthood. Males are territorial. Sterilization must be done between 6 and 9 months.
Advice and care for capybaras as pets
The acquisition of capybaras as pets must be done in l.animal games with guarantees. Avoid internet shopping and no guarantees.
Capybaras are animals prone to sunstroke, as their fur is scarce in some areas. That's why they roll in the mud to protect themselves from solar radiation.
The health of domestic capybaras
Capybaras as pets have twice the life expectancy of their wild companions. In captivity they can live up to 12 years. If their habitat is ideal, they are not difficult to take care of. However, if you intend to have capybaras in an apartment, forget it! In an apartment, they do not have the possibility of bathing in a pool when they need to cool off, they can easily suffer skin changes, which can even lead to death.
It is imperative that a veterinarian monitors the capybara's health, just as he would if your pet were a dog or a cat.
Domestication of capybaras
Capybaras are domesticable. They are intelligent animals, which can teach them tricks and various behaviors. Order food, sit down and show your affection, among many other things.
Capybaras have a wide range of sounds to demonstrate their satisfaction, alertness, submission and many more specific sounds.
Conclusion on the idea of adopting a capybara
Capybaras can be companion animals perfect if you can cover your specific needs: a place to shelter, grass, straw and a shallow pool to cool off. Feeding is also a crucial point, but it is not an expensive issue that prevents its adoption as a pet.