My book will be a joy for anyone who loves capybaras and wants to learn more about them: “My Life with Capybaras. What Capybaras Have Taught Me“, as an e-book and as 3 separate paperbacks and 3 separate e-books.
Paperback: Book 1: “I Fell in Love With A Capybara”. (About the pet capybaras I know and loved)
These are by far the most comprehensive books about capybaras. With a huge number of photos and links to my videos of the capybaras and their behaviours, mentioned in the books. My knowledge comes from over 12 years spent in the company of capybaras (spending all day, every day for 6 – 8 months a year), observing capybaras intently and learning about them. I write about Capybaras I know: Pet Capybaras, Capybaras Rescued As Pups in South America, The Fascinating Lives and Relationships of Capybaras in A Herd. The Many Fascinating Things I Have Discovered about Capybaras
Capybara Facts and Information (Hydrochoerus Hydrochaeris)
The capybara has attracted the attention of explorers and writers to South America from the 16th century onward. They were struck by both its size and its gregariousness and relative tameness. The capybara is the last survivor of a long line of gigantic grass eating rodents that evolved in South America over millions of years. The salient feature of capybara behaviour is undoubtedly their gregariousness. It is the world’s largest rodent.
Scientific name: Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris.
In the past capybaras were also known as Water Pig.
The name, capybara, originates from a word in the language of the indigenous Tupi people (ka’pii which means grass + gwara which means eater). The language of the Tupi was the most widely spoken language in South America in the 16th century and means grass eater although the translation “Master of the Grasses” is more poetic and reflects their diet and to some extent their habitat. There are many, many different names for the capybara in South America, the most common of these include: carpincho, capivara, chiguire, ronsoco.
There are 2 species of capybara: The less common species is the Lesser Capybara (Hydrochoerus Isthmius) found in eastern Panama, northwestern Colombia and western Venezuela. This is a scientifically distinct species with anatomical differences, a smaller size and genetic differences. The species is fairly common in Panama but increasingly rare in Venezuela. It is threatened by subsistence hunting, the destruction of forested areas and the drainage of swamps. The Lesser Capybara breeds year round, with an average litter size of 3.5 pups. Individuals may be diurnal or nocturnal and solitary or social depending on season, habitat and hunting pressure.
Geographical Location: Capybaras, Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, are found in Central and South America from Panama to Northern Argentina primarily east of the Andes. They inhabit several types of wetland including gallery forest along rivers, mangroves and marshes. Capybaras reach their highest densities in the seasonally flooded savannas of the Llanos of Venezuela and Colombia, and the Pantanal of the Mato Grosso and on Marajo island in Brazil. They are always found in close proximity to water. The highest altitude at which capybaras are found is 4, 500 feet (1500 m). The only South American country with no capybaras is Chile.
Size and Weight: An adult capybara is large! Adult capybaras weigh on average from 40 to 50 kg in the wild (range 35 – 65 kg). In captivity the average weight is between 50 – 60 kg for a healthy capybara. There is no difference in weight between the sexes, but there are differences in size across the capybaras’ geographical distribution, with capybaras in Venezuela smaller than those of central and south eastern Brazil and Argentina, and those found in north-eastern Brazil being smaller still. In length they average about 4 feet (1.2 m) and are up to 2 feet tall (.60 m).
Physical Description: Capybaras’ skin is thick and sparsely covered with coarse, oily water-resistant fur, varying in colour: red, grey, brown and straw coloured. Some black hairs can be found on the face, rump and limbs.
Capybaras have very coarse, sparse hair which dries very quickly
Capybaras have a vestigial tail but this is not visible from a distance. The front legs are shorter than the hind legs. The feet are partially webbed with four toes on the front feet and three toes on the hind feet. The head is large with the nostrils, eyes and ears (which are small and sparsely covered with short hairs, with a mobile fold that closes the ear canal when they submerge) located on the top of their head, so they can hear, smell and see while remaining almost completely submerged, an adaptation to their semi aquatic lifestyle which allows them to keep a lookout for any dangers while remaining almost invisible. You can see this in the video below:
Semi aquatic lifestyle: Access to water is essential for capybaras. Capybaras’ territory always includes water which is used both as a refuge from predators and to control body temperature. They often seek refuge in water to escape predators (except the Cayman, which will rarely attack a capybara on land, but will often attack a capybara in water). A Jaguar has to be within 3 feet of a capybara to have a chance of a successful attack.
Capybara front paw with 4 toes. Hind paws have 3 toes. This is a photo of the underside of a Capybara’s front foot. Capybaras have partially webbed feet. They have 4 toes on each front foot and 3 toes on each hind foot
My book will be a joy for anyone who loves capybaras and wants to learn more about them: “My Life with Capybaras. What Capybaras Have Taught Me“, as an e-book and as 3 separate paperbacks and 3 separate e-books.
Paperback: Book 1: “I Fell in Love With A Capybara”. (About the pet capybaras I know and loved)
These are by far the most comprehensive books about capybaras. With a huge number of photos and links to my videos of the capybaras and their behaviours, mentioned in the books. My knowledge comes from over 12 years spent in the company of capybaras (spending all day, every day for 6 – 8 months a year), observing capybaras intently and learning about them. I write about Capybaras I know: Pet Capybaras, Capybaras Rescued As Pups in South America, The Fascinating Lives and Relationships of Capybaras in A Herd. The Many Fascinating Things I Have Discovered about Capybaras
Please see my latest blog about capybara diet:
Capybara Diet. Includes Treatments for Dietary Health Issues.
Includes details of Milk Formula specifically formulated for baby capybaras
A lady who has an Animal Sanctuary with capybaras, recently told me: “I do believe diet has killed most pet capybaras who die prematurely. People feed them a diet which is too “rich”, as well as other foods which capybaras have not evolved to eat. Some people feed dairy for the life of the capybara which is crazy. Many people also feed junk food, popsicles, other foods with sugar, too much fat, and too much food like corn and fruit. One person even fed her capybara toothpaste every day because he liked it! Toothpaste contains fluoride which is a toxin, and is used in rodent killer products. This lady’s capybaras are living to a ripe old age on a diet of: Hay, grass, bamboo, some vegetables and sometimes sweet potato, and very occasionally fruit. They also get guinea pig pellets or rabbit pellets daily, and extra vitamin C. They have never been sick or had tooth problems.
Please be aware: There are 2 famous capybara owners who do everything in their power to persuade people not to go to my blogs. It is believed that they view me as a threat because of my knowledge of capybaras. It is tragic that there are people who put their own egos above the welfare of these fabulous animals.
If anyone tells you that they do not support Capybara World you can be sure that they view me as a threat because my information is well researched.
Marvin and Elizabeth asked me to write this blog. They felt that when their first capybara came to live with them the information they needed was not available on the Internet.
Please Don’t Let Any More Capybaras Die Prematurely.
Templeton, The Brightest of Stars, who should still be with us today
Templeton, two weeks before he passed away In the wild baby Capybaras stand look out on their Mother while she sleeps.
What Should I Feed My Pet Capybara?
This blog is written in memory of Templeton, a young capybara, the brightest of stars, who died far too prematurely when he was only four months old. Marvin and Elizabeth believe that his diet caused his death. They did not feed him junk food, but they did feed him a lot of corn and carrots which his young digestive system could not cope with
Put simply: DO NOT FEED YOUR CAPYBARA ANYTHING THAT IS HIGH FAT, LIKE PEANUTS, SUNFLOWER SEEDS, OR BIRD SEED OR ANYTHING WITH ADDED SUGAR AND ABSOLUTELY NO CANDY or JUNK FOOD, AND ONLY OCCASIONALLY SWEET FRUIT.
Rodents are addicted to sugar and sweet foods. Another reason I would never introduce anything sweet into a capybara diet as this can lead to the capybara becoming curious about other foods which he/she had never shown any interest in before.
Templeton, So Full of Life and Oh So Cute. Here he is with Yellow Cat
The capybara digestive system evolved over 30 million years to take advantage of a diet that was high in fibre and low in nutritional content. If you want your capybara to live a long and healthy life you should try to replicate this diet as closely as possible.
Sugar and Stress are two of the most potentially life-threatening causal factors a pet capybara can encounter. Capybaras should not be given anything with sugar in it like candy, ice cream, sweetened yoghurt, ice lollies etc. Neither should they be given junk food; this seems like common sense but it is surprising how many people, out of ignorance, will feed their pets whatever junk food they are eating. In addition, Exotic Animal Vets warn about the potential harm in feeding the naturally occuring ‘sugar’ in sweet vegetables and fruit, specifically mentioning sweetcorn because of the high sugar content, so you can imagine how disastrous any food with added sugar would be.
Templeton, So Friendly and Adorable
Animals do not have the same tolerance for unnatural feed that humans have. This is especially true in the case of a capybara, where its digestive system is exceptionally sensitive, and has been described by at least one expert as the ‘weak link’ in terms of capybara health. I know of at least two capybaras who died very prematurely, in one case after only a few months, because of diet.
The healthiest pet capybaras that I have met are fed a diet of fresh untreated grass, hay (Orchard Hay and Timothy Hay which are not too high quality), aquatic reeds and guinea pig feed.
The olive shaped, green, separated droppings are a sign of a healthy capybara in the wild. Softer, sausage shaped faeces are an indication that the capybara is being fed the wrong diet. Fruit, carrots, sweet corn etc may be responsible.
HEALTHY TEETH: To avoid your pet capybara ending up with very painful, life threatening (not to mention expensive) teeth problems, it is essential to include a lot of coarse grazing in a capybara diet. Unlimited Fresh grass should be a staple part of every capybara diet. Lower quality hay is more suitable for a capybara’s digestive system and means they will eat more, which equates to more fiber and more tooth wear. The coarseness of the hay keeps their teeth ground down and healthy. This need to keep their teeth healthy should never, ever be underestimated. It is very important for capybara teeth to be kept in check, as they would be in the wild grazing on coarse grasses. I have seen capybaras chewing on twigs and stones as a method of self-help dentistry. Capybaras may grind their teeth when they sleep, which also helps keep their teeth in check.
The Hay and Guinea pig feed should be available 24/7. In the case of Romeo and Tuff’n, there is a large bale of Orchard/Timothy Hay mix in the living room. Whenever the capybaras want to chew on something, or they feel hungry, they go to the hay (or guinea pig feed). This means they do not chew pillowcases, plastic, comforters or any other inappropriate items of furniture.
Rodent Block (exotic nutrition rodent blocks) is formulated to provide the nutrients required for growth and maintenance for most rodents including capybaras, rats, beavers, mice, hamsters and guinea pigs. Also, ideal for supplying optimum nutrition to pet squirrels and degus. Nutritionally complete and balanced food
The best treatment for diarrhoea is a probiotic. In America this probiotic is called Benebac and in Japan, zoos use a probiotic called Bio 3. This probiotic could be a lifesaver.
Bene-bac
Many people with capybaras and guinea pigs believe the probiotic ‘Bene-bac’ is a lifesaver. Some friends use it whenever the capybara’s poos become softer and sausage shaped, rather than the encapsulated, olive shaped faeces which capybaras living in their natural habitat pass. Bene-Bac Small Animal Powder is a concentrated live culture of four common digestive bacteria found in the intestinal tracts of mammals. Bene-Bac is recommended any time an animal experiences stress from changing nutritional or environmental conditions. Contains 20 million CFU per gram of viable lactic acid producing bacteria. Powder formula is easy to mix with water. It comes in 4 different types – the Bene-bac designed for guinea pigs is the correct one to use.
Constipation: Bene-bac can also be used to treat constipation. It is important to ensure your capybara drinks enough water and has access to fresh water to drink 24 hours a day. A healthy diet of unrestricted access to fresh grass should ensure a capybara does not become constipated. Chewing coarse grasses is essential for the health of capybara teeth. You should always consult your vet as soon as you become concerned.
Bene-bac Product Information
Bene-Bac® Plus Small Animal Powder is recommended any time an animal experiences changing nutritional or environmental conditions.
Contains seven fat-encapsulated, common microorganisms found in intestinal tract of small mammals
Provides help for changing conditions, including, but not limited to birth, breeding, post-surgery, antibiotic therapy, weaning, worming, showing, boarding and travel
Guaranteed 20 million colony-forming units (CFU) of viable bacteria per gram
Recommended as part of the management program for all animals subjected to adverse conditions
The best animal trainers do not use food as a reward. Capybaras are highly intelligent. In the opinion of many capybara owners they are at least as intelligent as the most intelligent dogs. They are also highly sophisticated emotionally. They respond very well to praise, and are very sensitive to the tone of voice, with a surprisingly large vocabulary. If you say to Romeo “Good Boy, Romeo”, he swells up with pride. This is far more rewarding to him than a sweet toxic food treat.
The danger with giving them inappropriate food treats is that they will soon only do what you want in return for a treat. If it is a high energy treat they will no longer eat the copious amounts of grass and hay that they need to maintain a healthy digestive system.
Capybaras are highly emotional animals and do not react well to stress, which can lead to digestive problems. In the wild capybaras have the support of, and close proximity to the herd, for their emotional well-being. As house pets they suffer from separation anxiety to a very high degree if the human with whom they have bonded is not with them. This probably reflects 30 million years of evolution wherein a lone capybara, abandoned by the herd or separated from it, would have little chance of survival. If you are going to live with a pet capybara it would be kinder to let the capybara bond with another animal who will remain at home all day with the capybara, rather than have him/her bond with you and suffer everytime you have to go out (to work, shopping etc). A border collie might be the ideal companion.
Milk Formula For Baby Capybaras:
This is the only milk formula specifically formulated for baby capybaras. It has a higher protein content and fat content than other milk formulas for most other species. It comes from Australia.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE: To make 1 litre of milk mix 190g of powder with 870ml of preboiled warm water. Add about half of the water first, mix to a paste then make up to 1 litre with remaining water and mix thoroughly. An electric whisk can be used for mixing.
Feed Impact Colostrum Supplement to new-borns who did not receive sufficient maternal colostrum.
GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT: Typical birth weight is 1.5 – 2.0 kg. Average daily weight gain is about 50-100g per day until weaning at 3 months (approx. 8kg body weight)3 .
This is the information Kapi’yva Exotics, a leading breeder of exotic animals, provides for capybara diet on its website:
“Capybaras are true herbivores, their diet in the wild consists almost exclusively of various grasses. In captivity, their diet should consist primarily of guinea pig or livestock feed and plenty of fresh grass or hay. Capybaras do not naturally produce adequate amounts of vitamin C and they can develop scurvy as a result of vitamin C deficiencies. In the wild the large amounts of fresh grass they consume provides the extra vitamin C they need. In captivity, their diet must contain either plenty of fresh grass for grazing or a vitamin C supplement. Most commercial guinea pig diets will contain a vitamin C supplement but these can be very costly if you are feeding multiple adult capybaras. Mazuri and LabDiet guinea pig formulas are available in 25lb and 50lb bags and can be found at, or specially ordered at most feed stores. A much cheaper alternative is livestock or rabbit feed. If used as a staple diet extra vitamin C should be added. The easiest method I’ve found of doing this is to dust or mix their feed with ascorbic acid powder.
I DO NOT recommend feeding fruits, vegetables or other items containing large amounts of sugar on a daily basis. There is some evidence that diets containing large amounts of sugar, even from healthy sources, can cause liver and heart problems.
They have evolved as grazers, feeding primarily grass/hay and guinea pig feed is the best way to mimic their natural diet.”
Some people give horse feed instead of guinea pig pellets primarily for reasons of cost. It is important to read the ingredients of any formula feed as this will dictate your choice. As horses are considered more valuable than cattle, horse feed is likely to be made of more high-quality ingredients.”
Below I include some information on what not to feed and why. The information comes from exotic pet vets and experienced capybara owners who have done a great deal of research.
Grazing on Unknown Grass: One capybara owner wrote: “We are very cautious about feeding unknown grass. Our rule of thumb, is that if it’s long and neglected, we’ll try it. If it looks too well taken care of, we fear poisons and leave it. It is more likely that fertilisers and weedkillers will be applied to well cared for grass. You also have to always check grass for toxic weeds. We have nightshade in this area. I don’t even know if they would actually eat it, but I’m very cautious. Water effects fertilizers, but that would not be my main concern. I worry about insecticides and herbicides, which are usually designed to have residual effects that erode over time, not by water.”
Alfalfa: An exotic pet vet at a leading university veterinary school is quoted as saying ” Absolutely no alfalfa, it is too rich.” It may also be too high in calcium.
Calcium: “There may be a concern about too much calcium for rodents and animals who extract extra nutrients through hindgut fermentation, this includes capybaras. There may be a risk of bladder stones or grit from excess calcium. Here’s a hay chart on calcium levels: http://www.guinealynx.info/hay_calcium.html “.
Vegetables: The Capybaras at Nagasaki Bio Park, some of whom lived to a ripe old age (at least 13 years) were fed vegetables in season. When I was there it was cabbage, carrots and pumpkin. The capybaras at the Bio Park who eat the most carrots do not produce healthy olive shaped faeces. The faeces is soft, barely even sausage shaped. One capybara owner had this to say about carrots: “I have read online that the sugar level in carrots is on a par with apples and that because of the fat soluble vitamin A, if fed too much (or in a combination with other sources like alfalfa) the vitamin A can build up to toxic levels. She feeds one carrot a day.”
Sweetcorn: every Exotic Pet Vet with experience of capybaras was unanimous in saying you should not feed sweetcorn to capybaras. It is far too sweet.
I would remove all seeds and berries from my garden/yard as soon as they fall from trees.
Below is some information taken from research done on capybaras in the wild in South America:
This excellent book, see link below, is a collection of research papers on capybara, unfortunately finance for research comes from the agricultural industry so that is the primary focus of the research, but there is still a lot of very useful information:
The capybara, Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, is a herbivorous semi aquatic mammal that grazes near water. A number of physiological and morphological adaptations of the capybaras digestive system allowed this species to meet its energy requirements from a diet with a high fibre and low nutritional content and silica deposits.
These highly fibrous diet components are extremely difficult to digest, therefore herbivores possess specific adaptations for the digestion of these materials. The best known and most common adaptation to a high fibre diet among mammals is fermentation by symbionts (by bacteria and fungi and protozoa), coupled with mechanisms for the digestion and absorption of the products of fermentation. Among mammals there are two distinct types of symbiotic digestion where fermentation occurs. 1) foregut fermentation, as found in cows, and 2) hindgut fermentation as found in rodents.
Hindgut fermenters use the cecum, located between the small and large intestines, as a fermentation chamber, which precludes regurgitation and re-swallowing the fermented plants as a strategy for the absorption of nutrients. In the case of the capybara the process of cecotrophy allows a daily cycle of feeding and reingestion: food goes once along the digestive tract, entering the cecum where it is fermented and then excreted. These excreted products are taken directly from the anus by the herbivore and they pass one more time through the entire digestive tract. The waste products bypass the cecum and move onto the large intestine, where hard dry faeces are excreted (but not reabsorbed this time). The two processes occur within a 24 hour cycle. It has been argued that, since hindgut fermenters can take advantage of any available directly digestible (i.e. non-fibre) nutrients before the bacterial fermentation takes place, they are more efficient at extracting nutrients from food than foregut fermenters stop
The capybara diet, in the wild, consists mainly of grasses with varying a portion of sedges and just a few other plants
During the wet season when plants are more abundant, capybaras are more selective and spend more time grazing on Hymenachne amplexicaulis, an aquatic grass of high caloric and low fibre content, then on less palatable reeds.
Capybaras are considered predominately diurnal, however groups have been observed grazing during the night.
In the tropics, capybaras spend 31% of their time grazing during the wet season, and 42% in the dry season.
Please be aware: There are 2 famous capybara owners who do everything in their power to persuade people not to go to my blogs. It is believed that they view me as a threat because of my knowledge of capybaras. It is tragic that there are people who put their own egos above the welfare of these fabulous animals.
If anyone tells you that they do not support Capybara World you can be sure that they view me as a threat because my information is well researched.
A recommended minimum size of pool/pond is 9 ft x 16 ft with a depth of 4 ft. The pool or pond should have a few shallow places where the capybara can sit and rest while still remaining mostly or partly submerged. If your pool does not have any steps or ledges that would provide this, you should put something like a plastic table in the pool for the capybara to sit on. Make sure it is securely anchored and does not tip over when the capybara climbs onto it.
A large, 8 foot, cattle tank is not sufficient, many people would say . There is no way a capybara can swim properly in something this small. And of course it is not very deep either.
Capybaras are outstanding swimmers and need a pool/pond that is at least 4 feet deep. They love to swim underwater and are very playful, rolling and turning. Capybaras can stay under water for up to 5 minutes.
In the wild capybaras spend much of the afternoon in water. Submerging in water is a way for them to thermoregulate, i.e. cool themselves.
Capybaras are very agile and graceful in water. A cattle tank is not big enough to allow them to express themselves physically and aquatically, as they would in the wild. It is a wonderful sight watching a capybara swim, and roll, and play with gay abandon.
Please see my blog which gives information about the dangers to capybaras of letting capybaras use your swimming pool. I also give information about a recommended filter system to use to clean the water in your swimming pool. It is recommended that you do not use chlorine.
Bill Peet, aged (I’m guessing) about 17, persuades his parents to let him have a Capybara as a pet. Capyboppy arrives, and immediately settles in, acting for all the world as if he owns the place…easily the most important member of the family. He chews everything and terrorises the cats, but his captivating charms ensure he wins the hearts of the family. Bill’s mother is particularly captivated, she pampers him with showers in the morning and in the evening he sits on her lap and watches TV with the family. At weekends he plays with Bill’s friends in the swimming pool, the centre of attention.
Capyboppy Hates Being Banished to This Shed at Night. No Capybara Should Ever Sleep Alone at Night. In the wild they would be surrounded by their herd. Drawing by Bill Peet.
The only part of his daily ritual he doesn’t like is when he is dispatched on his own to the garage to spend the night alone. Capybaras are exceptionally social animals, and a capy in the wild would never sleep alone.
Capyboppy on Bill’s Mother’s Lap, Looking So Happy, Loving the Attention. Drawing by Bill Peet
When summer comes Bill goes away with some friends. The parents, finding that a wild animal can make a slightly unruly pet when its closest friend abandons it, decide to make an enclosure for Capyboppy in the garden where he can spend the summer. Banished from the house, and the socialising he needs, he becomes depressed.
“These Plants Are Tasty” Drawing by Bill Peet
One day a young boy, a friend of the family, comes over to visit and goes out to feed Capyboppy some grass. In his confused and depressed state Capyboppy bites him. Bill’s younger brother gives Capyboppy a ferocious kick which sends him to the bottom of the swimming pool where he stays a considerable time. Eventually he surfaces and crawls to a patch of grass where he remains motionless.
The family ignore him despite the fact that he has suffered a serious wound as a result of the kick. No effort is made to check up on him or to take him to a vet, even when he has not moved at all for hours. Two days later the family belatedly wonder if he is still alive!
Although the boy who was bitten does not in any way hold Capyboppy responsible, the family decide they can no longer keep him and he is sent to a zoo. Despite the obvious signs that Capyboppy is being bullied by the hippos who share his enclosure, the family leave him there. The book ends at this point. Capyboppy is eventually attacked and killed by a guanaco. This all takes place in the 1960s.
Capyboppy Enjoying His Shower. Drawing by Bill Peet
Bill Peet went on to do artwork for Disney, and his talent as an artist can be seen in the many excellent drawings featuring Capyboppy, which completely capture his engaging personality and his exceptionally expressive capybara face.
Capyboppy enters his new home. The cats are terrified! Capyboppy completely ignores them. Drawing by Bill Peet
I enjoyed the first half of the book, but overall I found it deeply depressing and I am stunned that so many people claim to like it and recommend it for children. Perhaps they only remember the first part of the book, the happy times for Capyboppy. Otherwise they cannot possibly be true animal lovers.
Capyboppy loves swimming with Bill’s friends. He is the centre of attention. Drawing by Bill Peet
The moral of the story: if you are going to have a pet and most especially if you are hoping to turn a wild animal into a house pet, do your homework. Make sure you understand its needs and be certain you will still find it enchanting when it grows out of its small, cute baby phase. Most of all, are you the sort of person who will act responsibly and always put your pet’s needs first, before your own needs and desires.
The Peets appear to have given little thought to Capyboppy’s emotional well being as he grew older and larger; ultimately abandoning him to his fate at the zoo in LA despite the warning signs that the hippos with whom he shared the enclosure would never provide him with the companionship he desperately needed.
Please be aware: There are 2 famous capybara owners who do everything in their power to persuade people not to go to my blogs. It is believed that they view me as a threat because of my knowledge of capybaras. It is tragic that there are people who put their own egos above the welfare of these fabulous animals.
If anyone tells you that they do not support Capybara World you can be sure that they view me as a threat because my information is well researched.
Many plants, bushes and trees are toxic to animals. There is little information available about which poisonous plants are specifically toxic to capybaras. Some people recommend that any plant that is toxic to horses or sheep may be toxic to capybaras, as they have a similar digestive system. Cows and goats can tolerate some toxins, like mouldy hay which you should never feed to a capybara, horse etc. The limitation of this information with regard to horses is the difference in body size between horses and capybaras. Capybaras are much smaller than horses and therefore may be more susceptible to any toxins in the plants they eat. I.E., a capybara would be in danger after eating a smaller quantity of a toxic plant than a much larger horse would be.
A common misconception is that animals will instinctively know which plants are safe to eat. In the wild animals will usually learn from older animals in the herd which plants are safe to forage on. Once you take an animal out of its natural environment it becomes your responsibility to ensure every aspect of its safety, including what food it consumes, whether there are dangerous snakes, spiders or scorpions in the area, and that it cannot access lethal chemicals like antifreeze.
Rodents are addicted to sugar and sweet foods. I would never introduce anything sweet into a capybara diet as this can lead to the capybara becoming curious about other foods which he/she had never shown any interest in before, including bird seed.
I would remove all seeds and berries from my garden/yard as soon as they fall from trees.
Two plants which are known to be lethal to capybaras are Azaleas and the Chinaberry tree (also known as the Bead tree, Pride of India, Texas Umbrella tree, Melia Azedarach, White Cedar, Paradise tree, China Ball tree, Persian Lilac). All parts of the Chinaberry tree are considered toxic with the highest concentration of toxins found in the berries. Clinical signs include drooling, diarrhoea and depression; with a larger intake of berries, toxicity can lead to seizures and death. Eating as few as 6 berries can lead to death in a human.
Chinaberry Tree. Please see my text for other names of this toxic tree
At least one capybara has died as a result of eating the leaves of an Azalea plant. Another capybara became ill, but fortunately survived, after eating the berries of the Chinaberry tree.
Oleander is frequently found growing in gardens and public parks. As little as a few mouthfuls of certain parts of this plant can kill a horse in minutes. The yew tree is another very toxic plant; 8 ounces can kill an adult horse in 5 minutes.
With other plants, such as bracken, the toxic effect can build up over months. So don’t assume your capybara is unharmed just because there is no immediate sign of poisoning after eating a plant that is known to be toxic. In the long term you might be killing your capybara.
Some plants are only poisonous when fresh. Other plants only become poisonous when they are dried. Other plants are only poisonous when they are dead. Some plants are poisonous when they are both fresh and dried.
Many chemicals are toxic to animals. Antifreeze is highly toxic to animals and will kill in a very short space of time. There are many other chemicals such as petroleum products which are highly toxic. Make sure your pet does not have access to these, for example by wandering into your garage.
Common signs to look out for if you think your capybara may have eaten a toxic plant, or other toxin, are:
Drooling
Rolling, unnatural or excessive rolling is often an indication that your capybara is suffering pain in its digestive tract. What we humans would call a tummy ache.
Diarrhoea
Depression
Respiratory distress (shortness of breath, increased heart rate, distressed breathing)
Restlessness
Scratching at the mouth or face
Increased urination
Muscle twitching or shaking
Seizures
Death
Diarrhoea can prove fatal in capybaras.
If you suspect your capybara has eaten any toxic plant take it to your vet immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to appear. By the time symptoms appear it may be too late to save your animal.
If you have any doubts about the safety and toxicity of any plant in your garden you should take the plant to your local garden centre or better still one of the county/state government run agencies, often called the Cooperative Extension, devoted to agriculture and home plant issues. They go by a variety of different names including IFAS or EDIS. They are coordinated through State Universities and implemented by County offices. Every county should have an office. They do a lot of work with plant identification, agricultural disease/pests, gardening, pasture weeds, livestock issues, healthy living, energy savings, invasive plants, beneficial insects, etc. Unfortunately they are sometimes understaffed but this would be a good place to start your search for information. Each state should provide information online regarding toxic plants and other dangers to animals within that state. You should be prepared to do your own search, even if it is time-consuming, to ascertain any dangers that might threaten the life of your beloved capybara.
I would remove every toxic plant from my garden or land rather than risk the death of a capybara I loved.
A surprisingly large number of common garden and household plants are toxic to pets, and reactions to toxicity range from mild to life-threatening. Capybaras like to explore their environment by mouthing and tasting, and they are therefore particularly vulnerable to accidental poisoning. Many toxic plants might look very pretty in a garden, but the health of your capybara should come first. It is important to know which plants are toxic. Also, if you tell a capybara “No” you will arouse its curiosity and make it more likely to target this plant.
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I had a wonderful experience of this with Romeo. There was a plant in the neighbour’s garden, where Romeo and Tuff’n sometimes go to graze, which was believed to be potentially toxic. Usually the plant was covered with a garbage bin so that Romeo and Tuff’n couldn’t access it. However as the plant grew bigger the bin began to damage the plant. So instead Romeo was told “no” every time he went over to the plant and we ensured that he did not eat the plant. Marvin decided that Romeo’s interest in the plant was mostly to get Marvin’s attention rather than to eat the plant. As an experiment Marvin turned his back to Romeo as Romeo approached the plant. As soon as Romeo noticed that Marvin wasn’t looking he completely lost interest in the plant! Just like a mischievous child seeking attention.
Romeo is an exceptional capybara who tries to please. It might well be that turning your back will not have this effect on some other capybaras who might go ahead and try and eat the plant. Romeo knew he was not supposed to eat the plant and he is probably a little unusual amongst capybaras because of his very close relationship with the humans he has bonded with.
This site has photographs of the Poisonous Weeds in Horse Pastures. Created by Rutgers University and New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES). Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet FS938. May 2013: http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/fs938/
The following information relates to pets in general, primarily the most common pets such as cats and dogs. I personally would not risk a capybara’s health by including any of these plants in my garden or on my land:
The following 12 plants are the toxic plants most commonly eaten by pets in general which resulted in the pets requiring medical treatment. Not all the pets survived. The danger posed by these plants will vary from species to species and the amount the animal has eaten. I would recommend removing all these toxic plants from your garden or land.
1. Lilies (Lilium, all spp.): Ingesting any part of the plant can cause complete kidney failure in 36-72 hours. First symptoms appear in a few hours and may include appetite suppression, lethargy, vomiting.
2. Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis): Ingesting any part of the plant can cause cardiac dysrhythmias (any disorder of the heart rate/rhythm/pulse such as beating too fast, too slow or irregularly), vomiting, diarrhoea, confusion, weakness, and even death.
3. Anemone (Anenome and Pulsatilla, family Ranunculaceae): Irritates the mucus membranes, and can cause blisters, hemorrhagic gastritis, shock, convulsions, and death.
4. Aloe Vera (family Liliaceae): Vomiting, depression, diarrhoea, anorexia, tremors, change in urine color.
5. Amaryllis (family Amaryllidaceaea, incl. Hippeastrum spp.) All species, including Belladonna Lily, are toxic. The bulbs are the toxic part of the plant. The “Amaryllis” commonly seen during the December holidays are Hippeastrum species. Symptoms include vomiting, depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, increased salivation, anorexia, tremors.
6. Asparagus Fern (family Liliaceae): Allergic dermatitis, gastric upset, vomiting, diarrhea.
7. Daffodil (Narcissus): Vomiting, diarrhea. Large ingestions cause convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors, cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms).
8. Philodendrons: Irritation, intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips, tongue, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing.
9. Jade Plants (Crassula argentea): Vomiting, depressions, ataxia (in ability to control muscles/lack of muscle coordination), slow heart rate.
10. Chrysanthemums: Vomiting, diarrhea, increased salivation, lack of coordination/ataxia, dermatitis.
11. Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum): The tubers or rhizomes contain the toxic glycoside cyclanin, a terpenoid saponin. Ingestion can cause excess salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, heart rhythm abnormalities, seizures, or even death in rare cases.
12. Cycads (including Sago palm; cardboard palm; etc.): The “Sago palm” is a cycad, not a true palm, and all parts of the plant are poisonous. Symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, melena (black “tarry” feces), jaundice, increased thirst, hemorrhagic gastritis, bruising, coagulopathy (blood is unable to clot properly), liver failure, and death.
The following plants are highly toxic:
• Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia species)
• Castor bean (Ricinus communis)
• Daphne (Daphne spp.)
• Deathcamas & Meadow Deathcamas (Zigadenus venenosus)
• English yew (Taxus baccata)
• Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
• Jimson weed or Devil’s Trumpet (this plant has many common names) (Datura spp.)
• Nicotiana/Tobacco plants (all spp.)
• Oleander (Nerium Oleander)
• Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum)
• Pokeweed (Phytilacca americana)
• Tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca)
• Western water hemlock (Cicuta douglasii)
• Yew (Taxus cuspidata)
You might also want to check out Plants and Flowers that are dangerous for Guinea Pigs and Rabbits. These include:
Bluebell, Crocus, Daffodil, Dock, Foxglove, Hyacinth, Laburnum, Poppy, Ragwort, Tulip and once again Yew
Potato sprouts, potato peelings, and anything to do with a potato plant
Beans and anything to do with a bean plant
Anything to do with a tomato plant (the tomato itself is okay)
Anything to do with rhubarb
Dill (watch out for prepackaged “salad & herb” kits) and
Flowers or any part of a flowering plant
Houseplants
Unidentified weeds
Any foods that were previously frozen
Fruit cores, pits, and seeds. You should of course avoid feeding fruit to capybaras as their digestive system, hindgut fermentation, has not evolved to cope with any food with a high sugar content.
Be Aware of any Animals, Spiders or Snakes in your area whose bite could be lethal to a capybara:
A Scorpion bite can kill a young capybara as happened to one young 7 month old capybara that I was particularly fond of. You should be aware of Scorpion nests if you live in an area with scorpions that pose a danger to young children.
Check to see if there are any dangerous snakes, spiders or scorpions in the area in which you live. If you know that poisonous creatures enter your garden or land you will need to think very carefully about how you will deal with this problem. Do you want to risk the life of your capybara by letting your capybara graze unsupervised? I certainly wouldn’t. It is your responsibility to safeguard the life of your capybara.
Plants have developed toxins to avoid being eaten. The more toxic a plant is, the more likely it is to survive. Most of Britain’s native toxic plants evolved their toxins to protect themselves against being eaten by giant mammals including the woolly mammoth and the auroch. The toxins were not intended to kill these enormous animals, just to make them feel sufficiently unwell that they would avoid eating them in the future.
Although some of the plants below are listed as toxic to humans, they will also be toxic to animals.
Hemlock water dropwort is toxic to animals if ingested. It is one of the most poisonous plants native to the UK. The tubers, stems and leaves all contain a poisonous and powerful convulsant called oenanthotoxin, which targets the central nervous system.
Deadly nightshade is one of Britain’s most poisonous plants and just a couple of berries are enough to kill a human. It is often found in woodland.
Foxglove, digitalis: all parts of the plant toxic. Eating the leaves can cause pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. In severe cases this plant can cause heart and kidney problems.
Hemlock: the alkaloids in Hemlock cause violent vomiting and paralysis of the nervous system, with death usually due to respiratory failure.
Giant Hogweed: the sap is toxic and can cause blisters, burns and scarring to people who come into contact with it. Giant hogweed grows near water, rivers and canals. The toxins are in the leaves, stems, roots, flowers and seeds and can be transferred to the skin by touch.
I have written this blog to get people who live with a capybara to THINK about what dangers may lurk on their property that could kill their beloved capybara. I am always surprised and concerned about how little thought some people give to the potential risks that their capybara might encounter. There seems to be a great deal of inertia.
Please use this blog as a starting point and do your own research.
In the summer of 2012 an animal that I care very deeply about was subjected to a “Kiss the Critter” event. At the time I was heartbroken and horrified. I expressed my concerns very forcibly. I couldn’t watch the video, I was in tears. The animal looked so confused and distressed. How could anyone do this to a sweet, gentle, loving animal.
At one point one of the men smeared his face with lipstick and kissed the animal, covering the animal’s face with lipstick. It was grotesque, and crude and horrible. Nobody who cared about their animal could possibly subject them to this heartless and demeaning experience.
Last night I came across this article in Psychology Today by Marc Bekoff. In it he condemns everything that I was horrified by.
What depresses me is that we live in an age where people pretend to be animal lovers, but in reality they view animals as entertainment, and very often the animals suffer as a result.
Animals experience very similar emotions to humans. In the part of the brain which processes emotions, the limbic system, all mammals (humans and animals) have the same structures. Mammals also share the same neurochemicals that are important in processing emotions. We should treat them with respect and love. No human should cause suffering to an animal in the pursuit of their own interests.
Kiss the Critter and Kiss a Pig Contests, “Cheap Laughs, and Bullying”
As Marc Bekoff says, and he says it applies to other animals as much as pigs “These inane contests demean everyone involved and should be stopped right now… Stunts based on contempt and ridicule…. These sensitive {animals}… Surrounded by shrieking…. promoting animal exploitation for cheap laughs. The animals have no understanding of what is happening to them. {Animals} are sentient beings who are capable of experiencing fear and pain. Just as none of us would appreciate being held up in front of a jeering crowd, neither do animals. Bullying is bullying, no matter who the victim is.”
Animals suffer when their needs and expectations and desires are not met. All mammals (humans and animals) have the same structures in a part of the brain called the limbic system, which appears to be primarily responsible for our emotional life and the formation of memories. Mammals also share the same neurochemicals that are important in processing emotions, so these arguments from analogy, as scientists call them, are extremely strong and valid ones. I.e. any differences between humans and animals are differences of degree rather than kind. And animals may well experience some things more strongly than humans.
Animals are not objects. We do not own them. There has been a paradigm shift among scientists who study ethology, animal behaviour. Scientists have come to understand that animals have emotions and feelings and are intelligent. We should treat them with the love and respect they deserve.
This is an article that Marc Bekoff wrote for Psychology Today:
Given that schools rightfully aspire to zero tolerance of bullying, they should be at the forefront of encouraging students to be respectful to each other, to their teachers and to all those around them, human and nonhuman alike. So, why are schools (and other organizations) holding events such as “kiss a pig” contests to reward students for reading or to motivate them in their fundraising? These spectacles send the reckless message that stunts based on contempt and ridicule are not only condoned but also encouraged.
Whether or not a student or teacher is well liked, it’s clear that the person who gets the most votes and has to kiss a pig is considered a “loser.” In “kiss a pig” contests, these sensitive animals are surrounded by shrieking kids and the pigs have no understanding of what is happening to them. The piglets often scream in fright, urinate and struggle to escape.
Schools should recognize that these kinds of incentives encourage students to be openly disdainful of their teachers and also foster derision and disrespect toward both educators and pigs. Instead of mocking pigs, students could learn a lot of positive lessons about kindness and compassion from them.
Pigs are loyal friends and amiable companions. Smart and inquisitive, they enjoy exploring and uncovering new and interesting things. They dream and also enjoy listening to music and getting back rubs. Calling someone “a pig” should actually be a compliment.
Pigs are sentient beings who are capable of experiencing fear and pain. Just as none of us would appreciate being held up in front of a jeering crowd, neither do pigs. Bullying is bullying, no matter who the victim is. The teacher who would stop a child from being picked on should extend the same compassion toward animals. Educators must recognize the danger of instigating group antipathy (the so-called “mob mentality”) and how doing so prompts otherwise kind people to behave badly.
If students were taught how personable pigs really are, I feel certain these contests would be stopped once and for all. Young people can learn to appreciate pigs for the truly remarkable beings they are. Pigs offer valuable lessons in forgiveness, resilience and confidence, and I know this firsthand from a pig I met a few years ago named Geraldine.
Geraldine was a rescued potbellied pig living at a lovely sanctuary called Kindness Ranch. Although she had known nothing but cruelty before being rescued, she was personable and clearly interested in assessing me for acceptance as a new friend. Once I passed muster and she trusted me, she demanded nothing but companionship and belly rubs. Geraldine had every reason to be hostile and fearful, but she put her bad past behind her and moved forward with optimism and cheer. The idea of subjecting Geraldine or any of her kin to derision or discomfort is utterly unthinkable.
Links between animal abuse and human abuse are well-known
With so many innovative and humane ways to motivate kids, schools are failing themselves and their students by promoting animal exploitation for cheap laughs. These sorts of events should be stopped immediately and the reasons for doing so should be made very clear. Both humans and other animals will benefit from these discussions.”
Marc Bekoffis a former Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and is a Fellow of the Animal Behavior Society and a past Guggenheim Fellow. In 2000 he was awarded the Exemplar Award from the Animal Behavior Society for major long-term contributions to the field of animal behavior. Marc is also an ambassador for Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots program, in which he works with students of all ages, senior citizens, and prisoners, and also is a member of the Ethics Committee of the Jane Goodall Institute. He and Jane co-founded the organization Ethologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals: Citizens for Responsible Animal Behavior Studies in 2000. Marc is on the Board of Directors of The Fauna Sanctuary and The Cougar Fundand on the advisory board for Animal Defenders, the Laboratory Primate Advocacy Group, and Project Coyote. He has been part of the international program, Science and the Spiritual Quest II and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) program on Science, Ethics, and Religion. Marc is also an honorary member of Animalisti Italiani and Fundacion Altarriba. In 2006 Marc was named an honorary board member of Rational Animal and a patron of the Captive Animals’ Protection Society. In 2009 he was named a member of the Scientific Expert Advisory Panel of Voiceless, The Animal Protection Institute and a faculty member of the Humane Society University, and in 2010 he was named to the advisory board of Living with Wolves and Greenvegans and the advisory council of the National Museum of Animals & Society. In 2005 Marc was presented with The Bank One Faculty Community Service Award for the work he has done with children, senior citizens, and prisoners. In 2009 he was presented with the St. Francis of Assisi Award by the Auckland (New Zealand) SPCA. Marc is also on the Board of Directors for Minding Animals International.
Please be aware: There are 2 famous capybara owners who do everything in their power to persuade people not to go to my blogs. It is believed that they view me as a threat because of my knowledge of capybaras. It is tragic that there are people who put their own egos above the welfare of these fabulous animals.
If anyone tells you that they do not support Capybara World you can be sure that they view me as a threat because my information is well researched.
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If you haven’t managed to train your capybara, or guinea pig, not to chew power cords and electric cables, here are three ideas to protect your beloved animal.
1. You can slit a hosepipe and hide the electric cable/power cord inside. If your capybara/guinea pig does decide to chew he won’t come into contact with the electric cable so he won’t be electrocuted. See photos below.
2. In some countries you can buy plastic tubing, to feed power cords through, which would provide some protection.
A hosepipe has been slit along its length, the cable, (electrical wire) has been placed inside.
The cable to this computer has been put inside a hose so that inquisitive capybaras can’t chew on it.
3. Smear neat washing-up liquid on the cables. This tastes horrible and when your beloved capybara/guinea pig starts trying to chew on the cable his saliva will dissolve the dried washing-up liquid and create a most unpleasant taste. Your capybara/guinea pig will stop chewing immediately (hopefully). After a few unpleasant encounters with the dried washing-up liquid most capybaras should cease to show any interest in the potentially life-threatening cables.
Of course you will have sensibly placed most of your power cords and electric cables out of reach of your capybara and guinea pig. And hidden those that need to remain at floor level.
You can make life easier for yourself by providing your capybara with the right diet. Romeo and Tuff’n eat Grass, Hay, and Guinea Pig Food. All of these require lots of chewing so they are not inclined to chew cords, cables, furnishings etc. If they want something to chew they can go to the Hay and Guinea Pig Food which is available 24/7. This diet is also very good for their teeth; capybaras teeth grow continuously and if they are not fed the right diet they may end up with very painful and costly teeth problems.
I am afraid I have had to remove the photos as some nasty person has been removing the watermark from my photos and uploading them to the internet. It is illegal to remove the watermark.
These are the cutest baby capybaras ever!
The View from the Top of the Hill Just before You Enter the Capybara Enclosure.
To see the Enchanting Capybaras. Of course there are lots of other Animals, many of which you can pet, and Botanical Gardens.
Having a capybara come over to you and sit affectionately in your lap is the most wonderful experience. Many of the capybaras at Nagasaki Bio Park will sit on the laps of visitors these days.
Visiting Nagasaki Bio Park is very easy to achieve. The Bio Park is set in an area of outstanding natural beauty, The Saikai National Park with over 400 small islands (the Kujukushima Islands and the Gotō Islands). Hiring a car is expensive, but with GPS you could easily spend a day or two driving around around this scenic area. Road signs and route numbers are in English.
I would avoid major holidays like Golden Week which runs from about April 29th through May 6th. This link gives holidays in Japan for 2015:
Nagasaki is an attractive city, with European architectural features from its past as one of the few places in Japan that allowed foreigners to settle.
Baby Aoba loves to sleep on top of her mother Momiji. Momiji is a fantastic mother. おめでとう！リトル青葉はミイラもみじの上で寝大好き。もみじは素晴らしい母親であります
Brief History of Japan’s Period of Seclusion:
From 1641 to 1853, the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan enforced a policy which it called kaikin. The policy prohibited foreign contact with most outside countries. However, the commonly held idea that Japan was entirely closed is misleading. In fact, Japan maintained limited-scale trade and diplomatic relations with China, Korea , the Ryukuyu Islands and the Netherlands”
. Sakoku—seclusion from the outside world. During the early part of the 17th century, the shogunate suspected that foreign traders and missionaries were actually forerunners of a military conquest by European powers. Christianity had spread in Japan, especially among peasants, and the shogunate suspected the loyalty of Christian peasants towards their daimyō, severely persecuting them. This led to a revolt by persecuted peasants and Christians in 1637 known as the Shimabara Rebellion which saw 30,000 Christians, rōnin, and peasants facing a massive samurai army of more than 100,000 sent from Edo. The rebellion was crushed at a high cost to the shōgun’s army.
Missing photo: Hinase’s 4 babies spent several hours sleeping as close together as they could possibly be.
After the eradication of the rebels at Shimabara, the shogunate placed foreigners under progressively tighter restrictions. It monopolized foreign policy and expelled traders, missionaries, and foreigners with the exception of the Dutch and Chinese merchants who were restricted to the man-made island of Dejima in Nagasaki Bay and several small trading outposts outside the country. However, during this period of isolation (Sakoku) that began in 1635, Japan was much less cut off from the rest of the world than is commonly assumed, and some acquisition of western knowledge occurred under the Rangaku system. Russian encroachments from the north led the shogunate to extend direct rule to Hokkaidō, Sakhalin and the Kuriles in 1807, but the policy of exclusion continued.
During this period of isolation the culture of Japan developed with limited influence from the outside world. Japan had one of the longest stretches of peace in history. It developed thriving cities and castle towns and increased commodification of agriculture and domestic trade. This, together with increasing literacy and the concomitant print culture, laid the foundations for modernization, even as the shogunate itself grew weak.
Donut looks after Zabon’s babies just 10 days old
As a foreigner, you will find most people will go out of their way to be friendly and helpful; they want you to have a good impression of their country. You will be surprised how little English is spoken. My Japanese friends tell me this is because English lessons at school concentrate on written English, so many people may be able to read and write a little English, but fewer will speak it.
It’s worth checking TripAdvisor to get information and other people’s opinions on planned accommodation, etc.
Missing photo: Yasushi, who has longer hair then many capybaras, responds to being petted by “pilo-erection” – his hair rises in response to the pleasurable stimulus.
TRANSPORT
There are Information Desks, with English speaking staff, at all the main airports (including Nagasaki), and main Bus and Rail stations, including Sasebo.
Most international flights arrive at Tokyo’s Narita Airport. British Airways flies to both Haneda Airport, which is closer to Tokyo and from which most domestic flights go, as well as Narita. From Narita there is a straight forward connection to Tokyo Haneda Airport. There is a Limousine Bus which costs 3000 Yen per adult, and takes between 65 – 85 minutes depending on traffic. There is also a rail link; depending on the time of day, you may have to change trains. Ask at the Information Desk for details. For the latest transport information regarding travel into Tokyo, and between Narita and Haneda Airports, go to this site:
British Airways has daily flights between London-Heathrow (LHR) and Haneda airport.
You can fly from Haneda to either Nagasaki or Fukuoka. Nagasaki airport is more convenient for getting to the Bio Park, but there are more flights between Haneda and Fukuoka.
Domestic flights to Nagasaki go from Haneda Airport, Tokyo’s other main Airport. There are flights throughout the day. At the time of writing:
You can also fly from Tokyo Haneda airport to Fukuoka airport; Fukuoka is the main city on the island of Kyushu and there are more flights from Haneda to Fukuoka, than from Haneda to Nagasaki. The journey from Fukuoka airport to Huis ten Bosch is longer and costs more, than from Nagasaki airport to Huis ten Bosch. You will have to take the underground/subway called “chikatetsu” in Japanese, from Fukuoka airport to Hakata station. Then you will need to take the train from Hakata station to Huis ten Bosch; the journey time is 1 hour 50 minutes if you catch the direct train, otherwise you will need to change trains.
Missing photo: Capybaras Resting on Capuchin island
The best place to stay is Huis Ten Bosch, (Huis is pronounced “Haus” in Japan). There are a number of luxury (4 and 5 star) hotels here including the Lorelai (from which the Bio Park bus goes) which often has the best rates, the Nikko Hotel, and the Okura Hotel. Holders of a Bio Park pass receive a 20% discount at The Lorelai. The hotels run a free shuttle bus service to the central bus station, which is by the Okura Hotel.
I recommend the Lorelei Hotel. I injured my foot badly and we had to extend our stay by 3 months while it healed. The hotel was incredibly helpful spending over an hour trying to find us an English-speaking doctor (in fact it turns out many of the doctors speak English) and later contacting the Immigration Office in Nagasaki as we had to extend our visa. Everyone working at the Lorelei Hotel was exceptionally helpful and one staff member gave us a huge bag of tangerines, which are in season in Kyushu at this time of year.
If you get a Bio Park Annual Pass you will get a 20% discount on room rates at The Lorelai Hotel.
If you are looking for budget accommodation there are hostels, including one run by the Catholic Church, in Nagasaki. There is a public bus, bus number 20, which runs between the central bus station in Nagasaki and The Bio Park. The fare in 2014 was 780 yen one way. Journey time is approximately one and a half hours.
The Bio Park runs a free bus service from 2 points in Huis Ten Bosch to the Bio Park. These are: 1) From outside the Lorelai Hotel and 2) from the Bus Station outside the Okura Hotel. The journey from Huis Ten Bosch to The Bio Park takes about 45 minutes through sometimes stunning countryside and seascapes. The bus schedule is available from their website: BioPark access – http://www.biopark.co.jp/en/access/.
The easiest way to get to Huis Ten Bosch from Nagasaki Airport is by bus. Buses run at frequent intervals. The Information Desk at Nagasaki Airport will give you all the information you need, including bus timetables, fares etc.
Information about the Japanese Railways (JR) Pass and the Timetable can be found at this website. It is hosted by a Japanese gentleman who is only too happy to answer in English your questions about the rail system: http://jprail.com/travel-informations/fare-calculation.html
The nearest railway station to Nagasaki BioPark is Huis Ten Bosch.
Capybaras sleeping waiting for breakfast. 長崎バイオパークで眠るカピバラ。ミドル、リアビューでどんぐり
BUS
There is a bus from Nagasaki Airport to Huis Ten Bosch Bus Station which is in front of the Okura hotel. From here there are free shuttle buses to other hotels in Huis Ten Bosch
There is also a free shuttle bus from Huis Ten Bosch Bus Station to the Bio Park (see above and below).
By bus from Nagasaki city to Nagasaki Bio Park:
To get to Nagasaki Bio Park from Nagasaki City go to Shinchi bus station (there are several bus stations in Nagasaki so be sure to go to this bus station). Then take a number 1 bus (see next paragraph). There are about 7 buses a day. The Bio Park is open from 10 AM to 5 PM. Not every bus makes the short detour from Futamata, also called Stamata, to Nagasaki Bio Park: 1 in the morning arrives at approximately opening time at the Bio Park, and one late afternoon which leaves the Bio Park at approximately 16. 50 p.m. (I would be there for 16. 45 p.m.). Otherwise you get off at Futamata, which is a very short 5 minute walk from the Bio Park. The Biopark is clearly signposted at the traffic lights at Futamata. When you get off the bus at Futamata, cross the road at the traffic lights, and continue across the first bridge. Then turn right and cross a second bridge. You will see the entrance to the Bio Park car park to your left. Futamata is tiny.
Please note: not every number 1 bus goes to Futamata. You can get a bus timetable in English from the Information Office at Nagasaki train station (not Nagasaki bus station!) if you happen to be going to Nagasaki train station. At Shinchi bus station ask at the information kiosk which platform the bus to Futamata or Nagasaki Bio Park goes from – not every number 1 bus goes to Futamata/Nagasaki Bio Park. The journey time by bus from Nagasaki Shinchi bus station to Futamata/Nagasaki Bio Park is approximately 1 and half hours if you take the direct bus. It’s a very beautiful drive for much of the way. You should allow plenty of time to find your way around the bus station and connect with your bus. Make sure you have plenty of change. The bus fare in 2018 was approximately 1,100 yen. Board the bus at the door in the middle of the bus, and take a ticket. You pay on reaching your destination when you exit at the front of the bus beside the driver.
The bus back from the Bio Park is the number 20. You can catch this bus at the Bio Park; it leaves at approximately 16. 50 p.m. (bus times do change from year to year so check the times. The Bio Park can give you an up-to-date timetable for the journey from Nagasaki Bio Park back to Nagasaki city). You can also catch bus number 20 from outside the supermarket at the red sign. There are many more buses from here, at the supermarket in Futamata, to Nagasaki city than from the Bio Park.
If you are planning to travel round Kyushu, there is more information about Long Distance Bus Routes in Kyushu at this site: http://www.rakubus.jp/english/
Tips
* When you get on the bus, greet the driver by saying “Onegai shimasu.” Then, thank the driver by saying “Arigatou gozaimashita” when getting off the bus.
In the Flower Dome
ACCOMMODATION
The best place to stay is Huis Ten Bosch, (Huis is pronounced “Haus” in Japan). There are a number of luxury (4 and 5 star) hotels here including the Lorelai (from which the Bio Park bus goes) which often has the best rates, the Nikko Hotel, and the Okura Hotel. Holders of a Bio Park pass receive a 20% discount at The Lorelai. The hotels run a free shuttle bus service to the central bus station, which is by the Okura Hotel.
I recommend the Lorelei Hotel. I injured my foot badly and we had to extend our stay by 3 months while it healed. The hotel was incredibly helpful spending over an hour trying to find us an English-speaking doctor (in fact it turns out many of the doctors speak English) and later contacting the Immigration Office in Nagasaki as we had to extend our visa. Everyone working at the Lorelei Hotel was exceptionally helpful and one staff member gave us a huge bag of tangerines, which are in season in Kyushu at this time of year.
If you get a Bio Park Annual Pass you will get a 20% discount on room rates at The Lorelai Hotel.
If you are looking for budget accommodation there are hostels, including one run by the Catholic Church, in Nagasaki.
Where to Eat in Huis Ten Bosch:
Lorelei Hotel Restaurant. I would recommend the restaurant at the Lorelei Hotel which serves both Japanese and Western food. The hotel restaurant has an excellent buffet with an extensive choice of dishes, both Japanese and Western. It is excellent value.
Huis Ten Bosch is the setting for a theme park in Nagasaki Prefecture which features many buildings built in the traditional architectural style of the Netherlands. There are hotels, museums, shops and restaurants, canals and windmills. Huis Ten Bosch itself may not be of great interest to Westerners, other than for its convenient location with accommodation and transport connections to The Nagasaki Bio Park. It is named after Huis Ten Bosch one of the three official residences of the Dutch Royal Family located in The Hague, in the Netherlands.
The Hashimoto Hotel, is only a 10 mins drive from the Bio Park, near the coast in a beautiful area. However, I have not found an English language website to book this. Tel: +81-959-28-0011 Location on Google maps: https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=33.00143,129.730157&z=13
A cheaper option is to stay in Sasebo (which has an American Military Base) at the Toyoko Inn right by the train station. However this increases your daily travelling time by at least one and a half hours, and is only worth considering if you are planning to visit the Bio Park for many, many days! (We visited every day for a month, I found observing the capybaras social interactions fascinating, and of course I loved petting them). For most people Huis Ten Bosch or Nagasaki are the best places to stay . If you do stay in Sasebo you can buy a monthly rail pass, we organised this at the ticket office at Sasebo Station, where English is s spoken.
If you are looking for budget accommodation there are hostels, including one run by the Catholic Church, in Nagasaki. There is a public bus which runs between the central bus station in Nagasaki and The Bio Park.
Flamingos at Nagasaki Bio Park
We spent our first 3 nights at The Chisun Inn near Nagasaki airport, while we got onto local time, as it is much cheaper than Huis Ten Bosch. The hotel is actually in Omura and we had lovely views over beautiful Omura Bay. Rooms can be small in non-luxury hotels. There is a large supermarket just across the road. (You can sometimes get reduced sushi at about 6 pm!) There is no public transport to the Chisun Inn, but it is a short 10 minute taxi ride, costing 1300 Yen. 3 men helped organise our taxi and lift our 4 heavy bags. The Japanese tend to travel very light, so we felt quite conspicuous with our excessive baggage. The Chisun Inn is part of the Solare Hotels Group.
Accommodation in Japan can be expensive. If you are travelling around Japan the 2* Toyoko Inn chain, is good value. The hotels are usually very close to train stations, though no less attractive for that. Rooms are small by western standards. Some of the hotels have very thin walls. We always travel with a Marpac ‘white noise’ machine, so for us noise was not such a problem. There is a Toyoko Inn near Haneda (2 actually side by side) which is probably the best value place to stay near the airport. The staff at the hotels we stayed in spoke some English. In Sasebo (at the Toyoko Inn) we had tasty, free Japanese breakfasts and free wifi. http://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/
A Wallaby at Nagasaki Bio Park. I was surprised how soft their fur is. You can mingle in their enclosure and pet them
Nagasaki Bio Park
Information on how to get to the Bio Park from a number of locations including Nagasaki and Fukuoka, by bus, train or car can be found at the Bio Park website:
This site includes information and the timetable for the free Bio Park Shuttle Bus from/to Huis Ten Bosch.
The Bio Park runs a free bus service from 2 points in Huis Ten Bosch to the Bio Park. These are: 1) From outside the Lorelai Hotel and 2) from the Bus Station outside the Okura Hotel. The journey from Huis Ten Bosch to The Bio Park takes about 45 minutes through sometimes stunning countryside and seascapes.
Reservations should be made using the email address listed, or by telephone. When we visited in August the bus was rarely full. I had the impression people only booked up a few days in advance if that. You might well be able to make a last minute reservation except at holiday times. Weekends are busiest, with Sunday being the busiest day. Weekdays are much nicer; you might well get the capybaras all to yourself!
This is the countryside at the entrance to Nagasaki Bio Park with this beautiful Japanese house. I wonder who lives there, just a few minutes walk from the Capybaras? The photo doesn’t do justice to how pretty and rural the area is.
If you would like More Information about Visiting The Nagasaki Bio Park, go to my blog:
Here is a blog I have written about the capybaras at Nagasaki Bio Park. Like humans they are all individuals and have different personalities. And of course like humans you can recognise them by their faces – they all look different. Visiting them is so much more interesting when you know who they are
Most ATM’s do not accept foreign credit cards. Nagasaki Airport has one ATM which does. Haneda International Terminal (but not the Domestic Terminal) and Narita also have ATM’s which accept foreign credit cards.
Some taxis in major towns do take credit cards, but usually only domestic ones; these tend to have a sign on the rear left passenger door. Whenever we tried to use a foreign credit card for a taxi it was not accepted. You can always try though. Smaller businesses, super markets, restaurants, etc. in rural areas accept cash only. Indeed most of Japan is still cash only outside of the large towns and cities. You will always need to be prepared to be able to settle in cash. The exceptions are major hotel chains, rail pass, the gift shop at the Bio Park, and similar.
Another tip is that most large Post Offices have an international ATM in them with English instructions.
WiFi
McDonalds have free wifi if you get desperate. There is also free wifi at Haneda Airport, depending where you sit.
Video Links:
There is nothing as magical as 14 Capybara singing (eeping) in unison. This chorus goes on for up to half an hour or longer. I’ve tried to capture some of this magic in this short video. One person who has seen the video said “This sounds make me happier!” : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z6o5DC3–A
If you want to see what a blissfully happy Capybara looks like when he is being petted, these 2 give an idea of how enjoyable petting a capybara is:
A couple of videos showing just how playful, and amusing to watch ,Capybaras can be: (In the first video most of the action happens after about 1 min. 8 secs)
Do not expect European standards of Animal Welfare and zookeeper training at most zoos in Japan.
It is widely acknowledged that “Animal Welfare is little understood in Japan. Most Japanese do not understand animals.”
People in Japan who become zookeepers, do so because they like the “outdoor life”, not because they understand or care about animals.
The Biopark has a beautiful location, set over wooded hills on the stunning Saikai peninsular. Anyone who loves nature and animals will enjoy visiting, quite apart from meeting the exceptional capybaras.
Here is a blog I have written about the capybaras at Nagasaki Bio Park. Like humans they are all individuals and have different personalities. And of course like humans you can recognise them by their faces – they all look different. Visiting them is so much more interesting when you know who they are
This is the magical sound a mother capybara makes when her babies are suckling. The mother capybara goes into a trance and you can see her nose vibrating as she sings:
Missing photos: Little baby Io. The youngest capybara, just 5 months old
Butter and Cookie, Maple’s babies, 6 weeks old. They always sleep together, resting their heads on each other. バターやクッキー。メープルの赤ちゃん。 6週齢。常に一緒に寝ます
Having a capybara come over to you and sit affectionately in your lap is the most wonderful experience. Many of the capybaras at Nagasaki Bio Park will sit on the laps of visitors these days.
This is one of my favourite baby capybara videos: Doughnut being nibbled by Macaroni and Choco. Macaroni is the most enthusiastic nibbler.
Missing photo: Baby Aoba loves to sleep on top of her mother Momiji. Momiji is a fantastic mother. おめでとう！リトル青葉はミイラもみじの上で寝大好き。もみじは素晴らしい母親であります
One of the joys of the visit was hand feeding the capybaras. They are so gentle as they take a pellet from you with their soft lips, and then tenderly rub their lips over your hand almost like a kiss, making their happy, chuckling call of gratitude and pleasure.
You can see just how affectionate the capybaras are at Nagasaki Bio Park in this video:
Syu is the most affectionate capybara I’ve ever met. シュー非常に愛情のカピバラ. Syu was the sweetest capybara, very affectionate. He often used to put his nose up to my lips when I petted him.
Syu was the sweetest capybara, very affectionate. He often used to put his nose up to my lips when I petted him.
Missing photo: Many of the capybaras will come and sit in your lap. Sometimes you may have to entice them by offering food, however in this photo Ryoko came and sat on my husband’s lap of her own volition. She looked so happy as she snuggled up to him
Watching the Capybaras frolicking in their enormous pond was enchanting. They are just so playful; Great Grandmother Donguri, leader of the Bio Park herd loves to ride piggyback on her daughters. The youngest Capybaras love riding piggy back on the older ones. Several Capybaras might play ‘tug of war’ with a piece of bamboo. They have mock fights and chases, or sometimes just nuzzle each other. Nuzzling under the chin, a very sensitive spot, brings on that amazing blissful state, where the hair rises (pilo-erection) and they go into a state of ecstasy. Yasushi, the Boss Capybara (ie the breeding male) loves being nuzzled under his chin; he is very amorous and sensuous. This nuzzling can sometimes be accompanied by nips and the very occasional squeal.
Missing photo: Yasushi Being Nuzzled by Donguri. He Looks so Happy
Yasushi is adored by all the female Capybaras who follow him around and nuzzle him frequently under the chin in the pond. He rolls over in ecstasy, sinking under the water and looks completely towsled and dazed when he surfaces. Watching the Capybaras is a priceless experience, not to be missed for the world. You can watch Yasushi being nuzzled in this video:
Missing photo: Yasushi, King of Capybaras, All the Females Adore Him. Me Too. He Has So Much Charisma
Yasushi is the only adult male; he is the breeding male, known as the Boss in Japan. He will spend about 3 years as the breeding male before a new male replaces him. So the frolic is often amorous if Yasushi is involved. He is also a wonderful father, always willing to take time off from his love making to play with his son, baby Io, as in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaaaVHh-nh8 Little Io knows all the right strings to pull when it comes to playing with his Dad….like sucking father Yasushi’s ears, something Yasushi loves and which sends him into that amazing blissful state which Yasushi does so well with his amazingly long hair (see Photo above).
Missing photo: Yasushi. He was the most wonderful Boss Capy, as the breeding male is called; very charismatic, caring and sensuous. He had the most beautiful long hair and he loved to be petted. 康。優れた上司カピバラ。美しい長い髪。素晴らしい人格。撫でするのが好きでした
I hadn’t realised just how playful, and captivating, to watch Capybaras are when playing in groups in a large body of water.
Missing photo: Donguri and her little son Io often play together in the pond. Here he is nuzzling his mother under the chin, which she adores
And then there is the pampering. Walking in to their enclosure and seeing 14 capybaras sitting there, sweet and docile, just waiting to be petted is an experience I wouldn’t miss for the world. Yasushi with his long hair, all pouffy, his mouth open in ecstasy, showing his beautiful teeth….or little baby Io, so soft and small, responding to your rubs and scratches….looking so, so happy. Sweet, gentle Donguri, who mostly didn’t want any heavy duty scratching or pampering…she seemed happy to just sit beside me while I gently stroked her, only very occasionally rolling over to be pampered and going pouffy. Capybaras often like a vigorous scratch; they have thick skin. This is more stimulating, but often the Capybaras prefer more gentle pampering. They love being rubbed on their bottoms, as the sign on the Information Board says. Their bottom is also furthest away from their teeth!
Missing photos: Donguri, Sweet, Patient Gentle Donguri. My Favorite; the Gentlest Capybara in the Bio Park. Mother or Grandmother of 9 of the 14 Capys there.
Donguri, number one in the Bio Park hierarchy. She is a wonderful leader, very wise, very compassionate. She watches over the herd and gives support to any capybara who is suffering or who is in a separate enclosure and missing the herd
Beautiful, affectionate Syu … deemed one of the most intelligent of the capys, one of the few capybaras who would come when called (though not by name as they do not know their names).
Maple, her mother Keide and Aki (no 1 in the hierarchy and Donguri’s younger sister, though quite different in personality) love to escape in search of long, green grass. They will split up, waiting by the entry and exit gates, making it impossible for anyone to enter or leave without at least one capybara getting out.
Poor old Kobuko (the late Kobuko) had a gate stupidly slammed on her, when she was half way through, to fruitlessly try to prevent from her getting out.
Missing photo: Nina, 7 months old at the time of this photo, a young male who loves being fed and pampered. He will move to another ‘zoo’ when he is about one year old. Male capybaras tend to fight….
There is nothing as magical as 15 Capybara singing in unison. This chorus goes on for up to half an hour or longer. Some afternoons we were treated to the chorus on at least 2 or 3 occasions over the course of the afternoon, other afternoons no chorus at all. First there is watermelon time, followed by napping and pampering. One or two Capys make their escape to the freedom of the pond, while the others remain in the pampering area. Then the magical, singing chorus starts as the Capybaras begin to think about moving en masse into the water. After about 10 minutes the exodus begins. The 4 youngest tend to be reluctant to leave since they get the most pampering and feeding, and they know that if they stay behind every visitor who comes into their enclosure will buy at least one container of ‘Capybara’ pellets to feed them.
Missing photo: Momiji, Sharpening her Teeth, at the Entrance to the Capybara Hideaway. For Part of Each Day the Capybaras Disappear Completely under the Walkway, on the Far Side of this Netting. You can often Hear their Magical Sounds, though.
Reluctantly the young ones join the others in their hiding place under the walkway. Their ‘singing’ continues to fill the air, the most captivating sound you can imagine. This chorus is also triggered by thoughts of escape. On several days some of the capybaras, occasionally as many as 8 or 10, have gathered beside the entrance/exit gates waiting for an opportune moment to make their escape. It is always the same 5 who make it to freedom. These include Maple, her mother Keide and Aki. On Thursday, 9th August, there would have been a very successful mass exodus if Marc hadn’t been there to keep pushing them back in, and direct people away from opening the gate right in front of a capy intent on escape.
I hope the capys don’t hold it against ME, that Marc prevented them from escaping. Only Keide escaped this time. Her goal was the grassy hillside just round the corner from the Capybara enclosure. She looked a little concerned to be separated from the herd. And most of the Capybaras followed her trail from within the enclosure, walking along the boundary, looking very worried that she had become separated from the flock. Yasushi, in particular, looked very paternalistic and concerned, as if he felt responsible for his flock of Capybaras.
Sometimes Kaede goes to visit Ran, the future Boss Capybara. He is in solitary confinement in a small pen with nowhere to swim, so her visits are a real boost for his spirits. (Not that she can get into his enclosure; they can only sniff each other, separated by a tall concrete wall.)
Aki Sets Offf on her Great Adventure, having First had her Fill of Lush Green Grass
Everything comes alive with the magical sound of singing Capybaras. You can hear them calling in this video. In real life it is a million times more magical….more than a million times even…
What I find interesting is how little the proximity of large numbers of visitors has impacted on the group dynamic of this ‘herd’. It’s almost as if the humans provide entertainment (pampering and feeding) the way a human might go to a Spa or restaurant. As it is mainly a procession of strangers who visit the capybara enclosure, the capybarass don’t bond with people the way a pet capybara does, so the social ties of the herd are not affected and are as strong as with a wild herd. The Bio Park is only open 9-5 (5.30 in August) so the rest of the time they are free of humans.
In 2013 and 2014 the Boss Capy, ie the male capybara, was kept in a separate, small enclosure. This is not ideal and creates a great deal of stress and frustration for both the female capybaras and the male, who want to be together as they would be in their natural habitat.
Missing photos: Capybaras Playing Affectionately
If anyone wants any information on how to get there and where to stay:
The Bio Park is in Saikai National Park, an incredibly beautiful area in north western Kyushu. Rural and undeveloped, with stunning seascapes, mountains and over 200 small islands. There are golf courses as well, but I can’t imagine you would want them. More Videos of these Irristable Animals at: http://www.youtube.com/user/rangdaaaa/videos?view=0
Missing photo: Capybaras Resting on Capuchin island
Here’s a film NHK, the National Broadcaster in Japan, made of our visit to Nagasaki Bio Park; the Capybaras are natural thespians:
Because of ‘zoos’ like Nagasaki Bio Park, where visitors can mingle with and pet the Capybaras, there are many more people who adore Capybaras in Japan, than in any other country.
Linda Lombardi, one of the leading writers about animals in the Western world, has written this very informative and well researched piece about the history of Capybaras in Japan.
Of course there are many other animals at Nagasaki Bio Park.
Other animals you can see include: meerkats, beaver, prairie dogs, hippos, mara, coati, small clawed otter, Red Panda in winter, ring tailed lemur, rock hyrax, giraffe, zebra, ostrich, capuchin monkeys and many more.
There is also a petting zoo by the entrance to Nagasaki Bio Park, P A W (which stands for Pet Animal World), where you can pet guinea pigs, marmoset and many other small animals, and also dogs.
Red and Green Macaws from South America
The Tapirs got very excited during a thunder storm, frolicing and canoodling in their pond:
If you walk past the spectacularly colored flamingoes at about 4.30, when they are waiting to be fed, their evocative calls recreate the sounds of the tropics, transporting you to some far off land.
Spectacularly Colored Flamingoes
There is also the Botanical Flower Dome where you can see a profusion of brilliantly colored tropical flowers
Many Different Beautiful Types of Orchids are in in the Flower Dome
capybaraworld 