TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Foreword 1
- Acknowledgments 5
- Table of Contents 7
- Chapter 1 – Understanding the Capybara 13
- Threats 14
- Native Habitat 14
- Physical Characteristics 15
- Size and Weight 15
- Head and Jaws 15
- Scent Marking 16
- Vocalizations 17
- Life Span 18
- Social Behavior 19
- Do They Make Good Pets? 19
- Highly Specific Habitat Needs 20
- Social Herd Animals 20
- Learn Well and Are Trainable 21
- House Training 22
- Biting and Aggression 24
- Digging and Escapes 24
- Male or Female? 25
- Capybaras and Other Pets? 25
- Legal Considerations 27
- Estimated Purchase Price 28
- Pros and Cons of Capybara Ownership 28
- Chapter 2 – Buying a Capybara 31
- Kapi’yva Exotics 32
- Tri-Lakes Exotics 33
- Considering Shipping 33
- Travel Nightmares 34
- Identifying a Healthy Capybara 35
- Physically Inspecting the Animal 38
- Eyes 38
- Ears 38
- Nose 39
- Overall Condition 39
- Demeanor 40
- Estimated Costs 40
- Chapter 3 – Daily Care of a Capybara 43
- Keeping Captive Groups 44
- Avoiding Unplanned Litters 45
- Room for Just One? 46
- Introducing New Group Members 46
- Habitat and Shelter 47
- Fencing 48
- A Pool or Tank 48
- Room to Swim 49
- Temperature and Humidity 50
- Lighting 51
- Substrate and Bedding 51
- Accessories 51
- Habitat Maintenance 52
- Inside Time 52
- Digestion and Nutrition 53
- Feeding 54
- Hay as a Staple 56
- Food Containers 57
- Hydration 57
- Harness and Leash 57
- Chapter 4 – Health Care for Your Capybara 59
- Cuts and Scrapes 60
- Parasites and Mange Mites 60
- Scurvy from Vitamin C Deficiency 60
- Dental Malocclusion 61
- The Issue of Environmental Toxins 62
- The Problem of Capybara Health Care 63
- Finding an Exotic Animal Vet 63
- Chapter 5 – Breeding Capybaras 65
- Sexual Maturity and Fertility 65
- Capybara Mating 65
- Pregnancy and Birth 66
- Capybara Pups 66
- Chapter 6 – Frequently Asked Questions 67
- How big do they really get? 67
- What are rodents, anyway? 67
- What is the second largest rodent? 68
- Where do capybaras live in the wild? 68
- When are capybaras most active? 68
- Do capybaras have special adaptations? 69
- Is it true that a capybara can get a sunburn? 69
- How do capybaras use pools of water? 69
- What is the raised structure on the nose? 70
- Do capybaras make noises? 70
- How large are capybara groups? 70
- Isn’t grass hard to digest? 71
- What are the capybara’s natural predators? 71
- How long do capybaras live? 72
- Are capybaras endangered? 72
- Afterword 73
- Relevant Websites 75
- Glossary 77
- Index 81
