Capybaras are large rodents native to South America. They love to be in water, but winters at the Izu Shabonten Zoo in Japan were just too cold for bathing. After all, capybaras are tropical animals. In 1982, a zoo employee noticed capybaras sitting in a puddle of the hot water he was using to clean their enclosure. The observation led to the zoo filling their pools with hot water. The capybaras loved it! The hot tubs brought the rodents outside, and became a sensation among zoo visitors. Capybaras always appear relaxed, but watching them soak in hot water is an almost zen experience.
This winter, the Izu Shabonten Zoo is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the capybara hot tubs with specially upgraded bathing pools for their capybaras, such as a hot pool with rose petals. Read more about the capybara hot tubs at Spoon and Tamago. -via Nag on the Lake
(Image credit: Masaki Tokutomi)
#capybara #hottub