Capybaras Think They Are In Heaven While Being Scratched

If the animal kingdom were a school, this chap would be the most popular student in every class. Meet the capybara - the world's largest rodent, which also appears to be the friendliest critter on earth. The capybara, which can grow to around four feet in length, is a highly social semi-aquatic mammal that lives in groups as large as 100, and is native to the forests and marshes of South America. This critter easily interacts with just about every other animal you can imagine - from kittens and ducklings to monkeys and a caiman.

What is filmed in the video is this consult on animal training with zoos to improve animal welfare. The people were training these two capybaras at the Frank Buck Zoo in Gainesville, Texas to a station. This means to stay in a certain area when asked. Capybaras enjoy food but they also enjoy being scratched, so they also use scratches as a reinforcer for this behavior. The back scratchers are extra effective as you can see.

These short-haired brownish rodents with blunt snouts, short legs, small ears, and almost no tail enjoy the touch of the scratching rods on their bodies. Their body posture really shows that nothing feels better than when the brush goes over their furry coats to which they have totally surrendered. They might be shy but their reaction while they take such an obvious pleasure in the activity, makes them even cuddlier. Capybaras surely need friends to keep them company so that they can rub their bodies.

It's a wonder Disney hasn't yet cast this delightful creature as the star of an animated film. Perhaps one day it will.