REAL Rodents of Unusual Size

[BTM]

So, I'm exploring the internet, looking up such things as "bizarre animal friendships", watching cute videos like dogs giving tongue baths to kittens, a (spider?) monkey climbing on the back of a Pomeranian, and such when I came across mention of a creature I don't think I'd ever heard of before...

Check this out:

They're called capybaras and they're the largest of the rodent family you'll probably ever find.  Unlike the household variety though, these are actually look kind of cute and, unlike the ones encountered by Wesley and Buttercup, these are friendly to people. :)

According to Wiki, they're closest relatives are agouti, chinchillas, coyphillas, and guinea pigs, only one of which I'd ever heard of before now (guess which one!)  You can find them mostly in South America.  They like hanging out in the water, and can hold their breath for about five minutes.  

Anyway, I just thought this was pretty neat.

For more info:

http://www.rebsig.com/capybara/
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/Amazonia/Facts/capybarafacts.cfm

[Newt]

Yes they are pretty neat.  Having kids of the right age, I was introduced to capybaras by Kratts' Creatures - or was it Zaboomafoo? - a while back.  There are some oddities out there!

BTM: in your search for "bizarre animal friendship" did you come across the polar bear who played with the sled dogs? *Not* in the sense of 'played-with-his-food', but actually played with some sled dogs?  The bear returned daily to have play sessions with the same dogs for a week, apparently.

[BTM]

BTM: in your search for "bizarre animal friendship" did you come across the polar bear who played with the sled dogs? *Not* in the sense of 'played-with-his-food', but actually played with some sled dogs?  The bear returned daily to have play sessions with the same dogs for a week, apparently.

Actually, no, I didn't see that on the site i went to, but I HAVE seen those pics before on Snopes.com.  They're really cute!

[Javakoala]

Rats are rats.  I don't care the size or the inclination. Shoot them and throw them on the fire, man.

[Leah]

you never heard of capybaras?

[WingedSerpent]

The Cleveland Zoo has a couple of capabryas on exhibit.

[Paquita]

Wow BTM, your description of the fun and cuddly capybara sounds like a personal ad.. I think I'd like to date one.

[BTM]

you never heard of capybaras?

Maybe a long time ago and I don't remember, but no, the name offhand didn't ring a bell, so I had to look them up.  Keep in mind I live in Central U.S. and haven't been able to get to the zoo in over a decade (although been meaning to visit the one in St Louis someday).

[Newt]

Re: creatures one has not seen/been aware of:

I once had a major discussion with a co-worker about wombats.  He insisted they did not exist.  I think he had heard the name or seen it used and thought it was just a very funny word someone had made up for an imaginary creature in a game or some such.  He believed in 'catabbits' but was adamant that wombats could not possibly be real.    Computer programmers are an odd bunch.

[Derf]

Another big rat is the nutria. With either the capybara or the nutria, you'll need an awfully big stick to roast it on... 

Mmmm, roasted rat on a stick...

[Leah]

Another big rat is the nutria. With either the capybara or the nutria, you'll need an awfully big stick to roast it on... 

Mmmm, roasted rat on a stick...

in nola, we have a nutria problem.
but still, roasted rodent on a stick anyone?