The world’s largest rodent will once again be represented at San Francisco Zoo & Gardens, with the arrival this week of two young capybara siblings.
The 4-month-old capybaras, which came from the Sacramento Zoo, arrived Thursday and are currently acclimating to their new home. They will tentatively be available for public viewing on Oct. 13, zoo officials said.
It’s been nearly a decade since the zoo had capybaras, a semi-aquatic herbivore species native to Central and South America.
“The excitement here is palpable,” said Cassandra Costello, the zoo’s CEO and executive director. “It has been several years since we last housed them here, and they are a favorite not only of our staff, but also of kids and adults alike on a global level!”
As adults, capybaras can weigh between 110 and 150 pounds or more, can reach over 4 feet long from snout to rump, and can stand up to 2 feet in height, zoo officials said.
The zoo’s new pair — male and female siblings — currently weigh about 33 to 44 pounds each.
They haven’t been named yet and are currently adjusting to their new home at Puente al Sur (Bridge to the South) at the zoo.
A boardwalk overlooks a large yard featuring an outdoor pond at the habitat, which the female capybara made a beeline for when she was let into the exhibit for the first time, zoo officials said.
“Capybaras are excellent swimmers,” said Quinn Brown, the curator who oversees Puente al Sur. “It was great to see the two of them exploring their new home, taking laps in the pool, and checking things out.”