NJ’s Cape May Zoo Just Had Two Capybara Pups, the World’s Largest Rodent
Cape May Zoo has welcomed two new capybara pups, and they’re already becoming a must-see highlight of the exhibit.
If your social media feed has been full of capybaras lounging in hot springs or befriending every animal in sight, there’s now a real-life place to see the internet’s favorite oversized rodent — and it just added two adorable new residents.
Cape May County Park and Zoo in New Jersey announced that Buttercup, one of its resident capybaras, gave birth to two pups on April 14, according to a zoo news release.
The proud father? A male named Goomba. And this isn’t the pair’s first litter — Buttercup also gave birth to two pups back in October, making Goomba and Buttercup a prolific capybara couple.
What exactly is a capybara?
For those who’ve seen the memes but never looked it up, capybaras are the largest rodent species on the planet. Native to South America, these semi-aquatic animals are typically found near lakes, swamps and rivers. Adults weigh between 75 and 150 pounds, with females tending to be slightly heavier, according to species facts shared by the zoo.
They’re also highly social creatures that live in groups — which explains the bustling household at Cape May. The zoo’s capybara habitat currently includes adults Budette, Goomba and Marigold, plus five older pups from the previous litter, along with Buttercup and her two newest arrivals.
One of the more surprising details about capybara pups is just how quickly they get moving. The newborns are able to walk within hours of birth. By about one week old, they begin eating grass. They do continue nursing for approximately 16 weeks, but compared to many other mammals, capybara pups hit the ground — quite literally — running.
Can you actually see the capybara pups?
Here’s the catch for anyone planning a visit: Buttercup and her pups are being closely monitored by the zoo’s animal keepers and veterinary staff. To limit crowd exposure during these early days, the mother and pups are sometimes kept off exhibit.
That said, visitors may be able to spot them periodically from the bridge at the capybara habitat. It’s not a guaranteed sighting, but the possibility is there for patient zoo-goers willing to linger.
Andrew Bulakowski, Cape May County Commissioner Vice-Director, celebrated the new arrivals in a statement.
“What a wonderful joy to be blessed with additional capybara pups,” he said, per the Cape May County website. “Families love this exhibit, and their love will only grow with the sights of these new additions.”
With two litters in roughly six months, the zoo’s capybara colony has expanded quickly, making the exhibit one to watch for repeat visitors.
Planning a visit
Cape May County Park is open daily from 7 a.m. to dusk, with zoo hours running from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional information, including any updates on pup visibility, is available at CMCZoo.com.
For anyone who’s spent hours watching capybara videos online but has never actually seen one in person, this could be the excuse to finally make the trip. Just keep in mind that the pups may not always be on display — so a little patience and a willingness to come back might be part of the experience.
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