The air crackled with excitement one sunny afternoon at the Nanning Garden Expo Park in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.An eager crowd gathered around a semiaquatic enclosure, entranced by its serene star residents.
"I finally got to see a capybara in person," says one 10-year-old visitor, clutching a plush capybara in one hand and attempting to take a photo of the real-life creature with the other."They are the absolute cutest, especially in their Chinese New Year outfits!"
Large rodents indigenous to parts of South America, capybaras, which are affectionately called "Capy" by die-hard Chinese fans, have brownish-yellow fur and tiny triangle-shaped ears that look like little spread wings.
With half-lidded eyes, large heads and a barrel-shaped torso, they are often to be found sitting in a relaxed and Zen-like state, exuding an unusual sense of serenity and ease.
But it's not just affable looks that have propelled capybaras to stardom in China.The name of these creatures itself has a certain charm as it rolls off the tongue.
"The cuteness of their name gives the capybara a universal appeal that transcends language barriers," says Li Xin, an English teacher at a local middle school.
"On a deeper level, the fanfare boils down to the fact that they epitomize something we all strive for in life — a laid-back approach to whatever the future holds," Li adds.
In the past year, the capybara phenomenon has surged in China, with the animals building a large following on social media.The internet sensations have also spawned a dazzling array of merchandise, from cuddly stuffed animals to mobile games.
To help the cuddly giants adapt to their new urban life, a specially designed environment was created in the park that closely mimics their natural habitat, complete with greenery and a pool area.
"Capybaras thrive in a semiaquatic setting," says Liang Qiuyi, an animal breeder at the park."They spend a significant amount of time in the water to regulate their body temperature and avoid bothersome insects."
Like many other mammals, capybaras communicate their needs and emotional state through vocalization.This form of communication provides valuable insight for their caretakers.
"Listen closely, and you'll find that a series of squeaks usually means they are hungry.A rhythmic, low sound, similar to the short bursts of a machine gun, typically indicates that they are relaxed and comfortable.When they're alert, or warning their companions of potential danger, they emit sharp, birdlike chirps."
