Florida is the Haven for the Internet's Most Beloved Rodent

The capybara, the planet's biggest rodent, has captivated online audiences for a long time. Their distinctive look—featuring a stout, barrel-like frame, a compact head, webbed toes, and reddish-brown fur—makes them unforgettable. From Japan's 'Paradise of Capybara' zoo attraction to their takeover of a gated neighborhood in Argentina, these 'coconut doggies' have become a global sensation. 

Despite their fame, capybaras remain humble. These gentle creatures are incredibly sociable, often seen bonding with their groups, other species, and even humans. They even enjoy a good belly rub. 

Originally from South America, these endearing creatures sparked curiosity when sightings in north-central Florida began to surface. 

What brought capybaras to Florida?

Similar to many Florida phenomena, the arrival of capybaras remains shrouded in mystery. The United States Geographical Survey noted the initial sighting in 1990, followed by another report two years later to a University of Georgia invasive species initiative after one was hit by a car. However, the situation escalated in the mid-1990s when five capybaras fled from the Lubee Foundation. 

The organization—now called the Lubee Bat Conservancy—housed a diverse range of animals in its early days. The capybaras seized their chance to escape when a hurricane in 1994 damaged their enclosure's fence. These semi-aquatic animals thrive in lush vegetation near rivers, lakes, and marshes, which Florida abundantly provides. The state's climate also mirrors their native South American environment. Finding themselves in a familiar setting, the escapees quickly adapted. Alachua County remains the hotspot for capybara sightings in Florida to this day. 

Capybaras escaping isn't just a Florida phenomenon. Their friendly nature and cuddly appearance make them sought-after exotic pets, leading to restrictions in various U.S. states. In 2011, officials from the California Department of Fish and Game identified a capybara, likely a runaway pet, swimming in the Salinas River. Similarly, in 2022, an Illinois hunter shot a capybara while bow fishing in the St. Mary’s River. Reportedly, it was quite delicious. 

Unlike solitary runaway pets wandering America’s waterways, the Lubee Foundation escapees were prepared to establish a colony. Capybaras reproduce rapidly, typically having four offspring per litter but sometimes as many as eight. They are also excellent caregivers, with the entire group sharing parenting responsibilities. By 1995, when the five escapees were caught, they had already multiplied. Between 1994 and 2003, 38 more capybaras were removed from the region.  

Do Florida’s capybaras pose an invasive threat?

Currently, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission classifies capybaras as an established species. Elizabeth Congdon, an associate professor at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach and the sole North American biologist focusing on capybaras, has explored whether these South American immigrants could endanger Florida’s ecosystem. “I adore them, and they’re my favorite animals, but it might be essential to remove them from this area,” she stated to ABC News in 2016. 

Estimates suggest there could be up to 50 capybaras in Florida. They don’t seem to be displacing native species or posing risks to humans, categorizing them as “exotic” rather than “invasive.” However, their current harmlessness doesn’t guarantee they’ll remain benign in the future. 

In the worst-case scenario, capybaras could follow in the footsteps of their rodent relatives, the nutria. These semi-aquatic rodents from South America were initially brought to the southern and western U.S. in 1899 for fur farming. After the fur industry declined in the 1940s, thousands of nutria were set free into the wild. Sadly, these voracious rodents flourished, wreaking havoc on America’s wetlands. Today, nutria consume crops, dig through agricultural levees, and devastate coastal marshes. Maryland, for instance, dedicated 12 years and collaborated with numerous private landowners to eradicate the species from its territory [PDF].

However, the capybara situation is probably not as severe. Capybaras might pose risks to humans in two primary ways. They could invade farmland and feed on Florida’s economically vital crops like corn and sugarcane. Additionally, they act as carriers for the Rickettsia rickettsia bacteria, responsible for Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which spreads to humans through ticks. 

After roughly two decades in Florida, capybaras appear to have settled in for the long term. Beyond being a source of entertaining social media posts, the capybara phenomenon serves as an excellent platform for sharing knowledge and increasing awareness. 

If you’re fortunate enough to encounter a wild capybara, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recommends keeping your distance. Instead, take a picture, notify local officials, and consider sharing it online—it could become an internet sensation.