When you think you know everything about capybaras, information like this comes along. I have watched this short video a hundred times. Now I know that few of us could possibly provide an adequate swimming environment. Go full screen for this one.
The text for the article was originally in Portuguese. Using Google Translate and my meager interpretation skills, I can usually make sense of them. This article has a cryptic abbreviation and a mystery word that would be perfect for Scrabble if it wasn’t foreign. I will copy and paste directly from the translator, and good luck to you.
VIDEO: Would you be able to follow this good diving capybara caught in MS?
Capybaras, even though they are present in other regions of Brazil, are considered a symbol of the Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul. These large rodents are considered by many to be the ‘xodós’ of the landscapes of MS. This Thursday (4), the Recanto Ecológico do Rio da Prata shared on the networks a video of a capybara showing that besides being cute, they are also great swimmers.
The incredible record was made by nature photographer Fernando Maidana in Jardim, in the interior of Mato Grosso do Sul. Recanto is one of the main tourist spots in the world, reaching the finalist of the 2019 Tourism for Tomorrow Award, for the crystal clear waters of Rio da Silver.
In Tupi, the name Kapi’wara means “grass eater”. It is the largest rodent in the world, being very adapted to the aquatic environment. In the water, the capybara is a difficult prey for other predators, as it is an excellent swimmer.
In the comments, followers marveled at the mammal’s aquatic abilities. “What a beautiful thing❤️”, wrote one. “How beautiful. Nature is perfect,” wrote another.
Use this link to see the original article. If any of my Brazilian buddies can help with the translation, I will update this post. In any case, enjoy the video.
Or copy-and-paste the following link into your browser:
Dobby the Capybara 
Pingback: Can Capybara Swim in Chlorine Pools, or Salt water Pools? 2023·
There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that capybaras cannot tolerate chlorination. Many capybaras enjoy chlorinated swimming pools and zoos routinely chlorinate their swimming water. Capybaras have thick leather, not thin skin like ours. Certainly if chlorine was harmful to humans our olympic athletes would be experiencing symptoms.
Salt water pools are becoming more common but I don’t have experience with them. Every once in a while I see videos of South American wild capybaras swimming in salt water, but this usually results in the department of wildlife coming to relocate them to their normal fresh water environment. These capybaras don’t receive any special veterinary procedure after their exposure to salt water. This implies to me that the salt water environment isn’t harmful. It isn’t their natural environment, though, and they love to eat lettuce in their swimming water which wouldn’t really work well in salt water.
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Loved the insight into capybaras’ swimming skills! Just a quick note to add: while it’s tempting to think about creating similar environments for these adorable creatures, it’s important to remember that capybaras are wild animals. They thrive best in their natural habitats with lots of space and the right company. It’s tough to replicate these conditions at home, and really, they’re happiest in the wild. Let’s enjoy watching them thrive in nature, where they belong! 😊
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I have seen capybaras in the wild, but few of us will ever have that opportunity. Dobby was born in captivity. His parents were carnies and lived quite a pampered life. There was never any discussion regarding shipping Dobby down to South America to live in his native habitat. He also lived a pampered life. Because capybaras are somewhat docile and surprisingly intelligent, they seem to adapt well to captivity when they are treated with respect and given an appropriate living space.
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It’s wonderful to hear that Dobby and his parents were well cared for in captivity. I wasn’t aware that capybaras could thrive so well outside their natural habitat when given proper care and respect. It’s great to hear how adaptable and intelligent they are.
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