Several species share one enclosure at the Moscow Zoo: capybaras, Vika the vicuña, Varya the llama, and Molly the guanaco. The calm, good-natured, and phlegmatic capybaras invariably attract the most attention from visitors. Almost everyone watches this rodent family with a smile. In summer, they often socialize and even play with their neighbors in the outdoor enclosure; in winter, they leave it, and the camelids become the main stars of the exhibit.

When best to watch them: in warm weather, during daylight hours. The capybaras, llama, guanaco and vicuña are active all day.

Watch the livestream at onlinezoo.moscow every day from 07:30 to 21:00 (MSK, Moscow Standard Time). Or come to the zoo to see them in person!

In the South America exhibit, visitors can observe furry and cute representatives of several herbivore families, including capybaras and camelids. Interestingly, they get along remarkably well. During the warmer seasons, capybaras (also known as water pigs)—highly social and friendly animals—take center stage on the lawn of the outdoor enclosure. They are the largest rodents and can weigh up to 60 kilograms. Watching them teaches you to relax and to find joy in every moment.

Currently, the zoo is home to a male capybara, Kuzma; a female, Malaya; and several litters of their young. In winter, they stay in a heated enclosure with their own pool.

Next to the capybaras live a vicuña, a llama, and a guanaco. These mammals share many traits inherited from their camelid relatives, and they get along very well with each other and with the capybaras. In the wild, vicuñas, llamas, and guanacos most often inhabit mountainous regions with harsh weather, so in Russia’s central regions they easily tolerate cold and frost.

Old Grounds, "South America" exhibit, enclosure to the right of the main entrance to the zoo

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