Brevard Zoo Bidding Farewell To Three Capybaras
By Space Coast Daily // January 7, 2013
Moving To Hattiesburg Zoo
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Three of the four juvenile Capybaras at Brevard Zoo will be moving to a new home with the Hattiesburg Zoo in Mississippi on Wednesday.
The three are males who were born in August to mom Bailey and dad Clancy.
They are moving to become part of the South America section of the Hattiesburg Zoo.
Their sister, Donatella, who was also born in August, will remain at Brevard Zoo with her parents.
Brevard Zoo officials said the move is necessary to ensure there is adequate space should Bailey and Clancy have more babies.
Capybaras are the largest rodent in the world, related to agouti, chinchillas, coyphillas and guinea pigs.
Its common name, derived from the Guarani Indian language, means “Master of the Grasses,” while its scientific name, hydrochaeris, is Greek for “water hog.”
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Capybaras can grow up to almost 5 feet in length and weigh up to 130 pounds.
They are native to South America and can be found living in small herds in wetlands across most of the continent.
Their bodies have been specially adapted for swimming with webbed feet and their eyes, ears and nostrils located on top of their heads. They are able to stay submerged in water for around five minutes.
They are very vocal animals and communicate through a combination of scent and sound, including purrs, barks, whistles, squeals and grunts.
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