Capybara

Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris

Pondside pals

Two capybaras call Longleat home—Bart, who arrived in 2022, and Mildred, who followed soon after. You’ll need a keen eye to spot these semi-aquatic animals, as they spend much of their time tucked away in their shelter behind the pond or lazing under the trees during the day. Most active in the afternoon and into the night, they like to take things easy in the morning, resting and dozing while keeping close to one another.

Chew on this

Capybaras’ teeth never stop growing, and unlike most rodents, which only have two pairs of incisors, they have 20 that keep growing! They gnaw on trees and branches to wear them down evenly, and don’t just chew, they grind their food. Those teeth aren’t just for eating either, capybaras chatter them to warn others of danger.