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Why Do Animals Like Capybaras So Much?

Here are some fun facts about the capybara. It is the largest rodent in the world. By that, I mean that it can grow to be up to 134 cm long, and it can weigh up to 66 kg (which is a lot, trust me). The capybara is native to South America. They love water. They’re technically “semi-aquatic” animals, and they can stay submerged in water for as many as five whole minutes!

As if that wasn’t enough, they only mate in water (which is a strange standard to have, if you think about it). They are incredibly social animals. They live in groups, which rang from 10-20 capybaras large. That’s a pretty significant amount in the animal kingdom. It is this last fun fact that matters most to this story.


There’s been a recent question about capybaras that has come up on the Internet. Capybaras seem to be able to make friends with any other living creature, and people aren’t quite sure why. Regardless of what the real cause of this friendship-making ability is, the capybaras range of friends is really impressive. Let’s take a look.

Here is a capybara lying around peacefully with ducks and turtles. He’s just snoozing through this incredible meeting, and the ducks are using his sleeping body as a couch.

And here is a capybara lovingly nuzzling someone’s pet cat. That’s adorable!

Image Credit: flopsycat

But capybaras need love, too, so here’s a rabbit passing on some snuggles.

Image Credit: Unknown

Even monkeys love these guys!

Image Credit: egotvonline.com

Cats don’t just get snuggles from capybaras, but play with them, too!

Image Credit: I love Capybara

I’m not sure if these are the same turtles as the first picture, but they’ve surrounded the capybara in a circle of friendship and love (“Ring of Fire” anyone?).

Image Credit: Martien Uiterweerd

Don’t leave out puppies! These lovable dogs are joining in the capybara’s pool party.

Image Credit: Daily Mail

Recently we’ve seen rats making friends with cats, and here’s one passing a kiss onto a capybara. Maybe rats are more loving than we give them credit for.

Image Credit: a_corgi

This monkey is catching a ride on his capybara buddy!

Image Credit: Kazuhiro Nogi

If you haven’t already been impressed by the capybara’s friend-making powers, this picture will surely do you in. This one is just chilling out with a CROCODILE. Unbelievable!

Image Credit: Czar_of_Nothing

This at least makes a little more sense. Capybaras and guinea pigs look alike, so why shouldn’t they get along?

Image Credit: Calcd Uncertainty

Birds are getting in on the friendship action, too. Just stopping by to say “Hi” I assume.

Image Credit: Juliano Sienfield Darwin

This chicken is a bit more grounded, and he’s using the ducks’s “capybara as couch” technique.

GIF Credit: JoeJoe The Capybara

And tiny birds can use the capybara as a comfortable perch with no problems whatsoever.

Image Credit: animalssittingoncapybaras.tumblr.com

This large monkey might have mistaken the capybara for a miniature horse…

Image Credit: Barry Lloyd

Here’s another example of capybaras bringing other animals together.

Image Credit: Marijn de Maeyer

The capybara can even be a boat for other animals! It just wants to help out.

Image Credit: Sergio Bitran M

These two look like they’re going on an exploration together.

Image Credit: John Leverton

By now I’m sure we’re all very jealous of the capybara’s friendship powers. They’re undeniably impressive! Share away, people!
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