Capybaras are the world largest rodents, highly social semi-aquatic animals that require careful group management and water access in zoo environments.
Capybara welfare in zoo settings requires social housing in compatible groups that reflect natural social organization. Solitary housing causes stress in this highly gregarious species. Water access deep enough for full body submersion is important for thermoregulation and behavioral wellbeing. Contact zoo settings where capybaras are handled by the public present welfare concerns if handling is excessive, stressful, or interferes with normal social and resting behavior. Dominant animals in groups may restrict subordinate access to food and resting areas, requiring monitoring and space design that allows all individuals adequate access. Dietary provision should include ad libitum grass or hay to satisfy continuous grazing behavior and allow cecotrophy. Capybaras are increasingly popular companion animals in some jurisdictions — a trend that raises significant welfare concerns when individuals are housed alone without conspecific contact.