Capybara pair make the most of the hot weather at Chester Zoo
Two capybaras at a zoo made the most of the warm weather this week by hitting the pool.
The pair made a splash in front of astonished onlookers at Chester Zoo as they playfully wrestled and wallowed in the water.
Capybaras – which are world's largest rodent species – live a semi-aquatic lifestyle and are found living in small herds on grasslands, in tropical forests and on wetlands across much of South America.
The species spend much of its time in water and its scientific name means 'water pig'. They have bodies specially adapted for swimming – with webbed feet and their eyes, ears and nostrils located on top of their heads.
Capybaras are often referred to as 'giant guinea pigs' and can grow to up to 1.5 metres in length.
Although not currently listed as an endangered species, they can often be overlooked and are often illegally poached for its meat and skin, which can be turned into leather, as well as threatened by habitat degradation.
Their eyes and nostrils are on the tops of their heads so they can stay submerged with very little of their body showing – helping them to avoid detection by predators such as jaguars, anacondas and caiman.
Like rabbits, they eat their own dung to extract maximum nutrition from their food.
