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

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