Why are Capybaras so keen on rolling in the mud in the hot summer?

Yeah?

Which two little guys are standing on the rock with their heads tilted back?

Father and daughter are in sync

It turned out to be our capybara Lele and Dongzhi!

In fact, capybaras are born without the ability to climb. Their daily diet mainly depends on herbs on the ground and plants near the water. Tree leaves are usually not in their diet.

Dongzhi: Hmm? Watch my steps!

But this time, they were actually interested in the elm tree at home! Lele first used his two front legs to grab the rocks, straightened his body and raised his head to reach for the elm leaves to eat. But after taking two bites, he gave up because the taste was not to his liking.

Behind the elm leaves, the winter solstice is foraging for food with relish

But who knew that this action was seen by Dongzhi, which aroused her curiosity. She ran to Lele and started to imitate him, also stepping on the stones with her front paws and eating the elm leaves with relish.

winter solstice

Hehe, although I am already a big girl, I still like to explore the world step by step with my parents.

I like the winter solstice with my parents.

My delicious food

As a typical herbivore, capybara has a wide range of diet, covering tender grass on grasslands, tree bark, diverse aquatic vegetation and various fruits.

Lele: I am surrounded by delicious food! I must be the happiest pig!

In order to let the capybaras enjoy a natural and diverse diet, the keepers are committed to enriching their diet. In addition to the types of food they usually eat, a large amount of fresh wild grass was specially harvested this month to enrich their diet.

Meimei: I especially like chicory.

Meimei did not let go of any of the stems and leaves of chicory. She ate one in just a few slurps. Even if there were other delicious fruits and vegetables, she had to put them aside for the time being in front of these fresh wild grasses.

The way he eats, he looks a bit like a big boss!

Winter Solstice: Chicory and Orchid, I love them both!

Lele is a capybara who is full of enthusiasm for everything and gives people a feeling of being full of energy, including food. He is always the first to rush over to get the first bite of delicious food, especially his favorite food. He will not give up. His big mouth is like a juicer. He can finish the food in front of him in a few bites, and then start looking for the next target.

Lele: When it comes to eating, I’m number one!

Fubao: I am very interested in Astragalus!

After the keeper's "food delivery" arrived, Fubao and his little sister Xiangxiang started to eat it crazily. Fubao said that eating with his little sister was very happy! (The almonds in the back, hahahaha)

Think about it

I am a good kid who is not picky about eaters!

Think about it, she is never picky about all kinds of fresh food, she eats everything, for her, she likes these fresh grasses~

Delicious and delicious

In addition to delivering various fresh grass deliveries, the breeders also deliver various flowers to provide them with odor enrichment.

In addition to the fresh food they need daily, capybaras also need to supplement inorganic salts, minerals and other elements, so the keepers will regularly place salt bricks specifically for herbivores on the site to make it easier for the capybaras to lick and replenish these trace elements in their bodies.

Meimei: We are all nutritionally balanced pigs

Eat, drink and have fun!

After talking, eat.

Now it’s time to start the fun part!

"I" and "my" defensive armor

Since entering spring, Almond the capybara has shown an incredible love for mud puddles, and almost no puddle escapes his attention. He is always eager to be the first capybara to jump in and roll around, enjoying this unique pleasure.

Step 1: Roll in the Mud

However, Xingren is not the kind of person who likes to play and occupy the mud pit. Once his mud bath is over, he will generously give it to other waiting friends Xiangxiang and Fubao, and then turn around and jump into the clear water to wash off the mud and prepare for the next round of "mud pit park".

Step 2: Wash the mud with clean water

After all, for capybaras, as the summer heat approaches, a mud pit is as important as a water source. Recently, the keepers built a mud pit for Lele Meimei and her family. This allowed them to join in the mud rolling!

Lele's mud pit

Although the mud pit was created by the keepers, it was mainly the work of Lele and his family. After all, the "delicate" capybaras have their own high standards for the quality of the mud pit. When the existing mud pit cannot fully meet their requirements, they will take the initiative to build it - first jump into the pool to swim, get their bodies wet, and then return to the mud pit again, rolling and "polishing" repeatedly until it reaches the perfect state in their minds.

Lele in the water and the winter solstice

Capybaras' love and pursuit of mud and water is deeply rooted in their instincts. Mud is not only a tool for them to play, but also their "defense armor."

Almonds in a defensive suit

The capybara's fur is relatively sparse, and some parts are directly exposed. In hot weather, direct exposure to the scorching sun can easily cause damage.

Meimei is not covered in mud and is resting in the shade of a tree.

They cover their bodies with a thick layer of mud film, which not only cools them down, but also builds a protective barrier to effectively resist the invasion of strong sunlight, and can also help get rid of insects and lice, thereby protecting their skin.

Do you envy us?

Come to Gondwana.

Happy hometown is waiting for you to come home!