UK zoo introduces 2 new cute creatures that are siblings and ‘extremely friendly’

The London Zoo recently introduced two capybaras named Gizmo and Kiwi. The cute creatures are brother and sister, and while they are very close, “Kiwi is definitely the boss”.

London Zoo said: “Both are extremely friendly and will stick around for scratches and a tickle for as long as you let them. They also love to swim and jump into the pool almost every day.” Gizmo was born in 2023 and is a big foodie who will eat anything, although his favourite food is corn on the cob. He also loves to “sunbathe while you scratch his belly in the sun”.

Kiwi was born in 2024, and she’s also a big foodie and “addicted to bamboo”. Visitors can meet the capybara siblings at London Zoo when booking a VIP 20-minute encounter.

Interestingly, capybaras, also known as water pigs, are the largest rodents in the world, and “hide from predators by submerging themselves in the water when they feel threatened”.

Capybaras are native to South America, and their closest relatives are guinea pigs and rock cavies. Experts at Currumbin Sanctuary said: “They’re essentially the rodent version of the hippopotamus—gnawing their food whilst swimming in the South American swamps.”

Capybaras can dive and stay underwater for up to five minutes at a time. “They often fall asleep in the water whilst keeping their nose at the edge of the banks. Napping along rivers, mangroves and marshes helps them to stay cool.”

Another fascinating fact is that their teeth grow continuously. “To make up for the constant wear and tear of eating tough aquatic plants and grasses, their pearly whites will just keep on growing!

“Like rabbits, their high-crowned, narrow-edge teeth are perfectly adapted for cutting up their food.”