HOUSTON — While many enjoyed Thanksgiving meals with mashed, scalloped or sweet potatoes, the Houston Zoo was giving thanks for its own set of little taters.
Russet, Tater Tot, Spud and Chip are capybara pups that were born last month to mom Poppy and dad Rio.
They join older siblings Biscuit, Bagel and Strudel.
The curious capybaras have been busy scurrying around and exploring their new home in South America’s Pantanal at the zoo.
- Capybaras are native to Central and South America and are the largest rodent in the world. They grow fast and are quick learners, according to the zoo.
- Capybara pups are born with fur, open eyes, and a full set of teeth.
- They communicate by scent and through a variety of sounds including growls, whinnies, alarm barks, whistles and a frequent guttural purr emitted by the infant.
- They're related to the guinea pig but are six times larger and weigh 50 times more.
- Their name means “master of the grasses.”
The Zoo supports Brazilian conservation partners to protect wildlife, like capybaras, from fires and to find solutions to prevent animals from being hit by cars on major roads across the region.
