At Elmwood zoo, not your average rodents
NORRISTOWN The Elmwood Park Zoo will unveil its capybara exhibit at a ribbon-cutting Friday. What's a capybara, you ask? It's the largest rodent in the world, related to beavers and porcupines but endemic to South America. Capybaras are about 2 feet tall and weigh 77 to 150 pounds. With webbed feet, they are adept swimmers that can stay underwater for up to 5 minutes, and can even sleep in the water to avoid predators.
NORRISTOWN The Elmwood Park Zoo will unveil its capybara exhibit at a ribbon-cutting Friday.
What's a capybara, you ask? It's the largest rodent in the world, related to beavers and porcupines but endemic to South America. Capybaras are about 2 feet tall and weigh 77 to 150 pounds. With webbed feet, they are adept swimmers that can stay underwater for up to 5 minutes, and can even sleep in the water to avoid predators.
Cutting the ribbon will be State Sen. Leach (D., Montgomery), a major supporter and fund-raiser for the zoo, who personally donated $10,000 to this $19,000 exhibit, said zoo spokesman Shaun Rogers. The capybara crew, acquired from zoos around the country, consists of Dunk, a 1-year-old male from Arkansas; Scar, a 3-year-old female from San Diego; and Candy, a 4-year-old female from Boston.
The new enclosure will give the animals access to the duck pond, dry land, and an indoor space. The event begins at 3 p.m. and is included in admission to the zoo, at 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown.
- Jessica Parks