Buttercup takes care of her two newly born pups. (Photos courtesy of Cape May County Zoo)
There’s a baby boom at the Cape May County Zoo.
The zoo has welcomed a new litter of capybara pups.
The capybara mother, named Buttercup, has given birth once again after delivering two pups in October, the zoo announced Monday.
Two new pups were born on April 14. This litter and the pups born in October were sired by Goomba, the resident capybara male.
Mom and pups are under the careful watch of the zoo’s animal keepers and veterinary staff. Buttercup and the pups can be seen periodically from the bridge at the capybara habitat, but they will be off exhibit often to give them some respite from the crowds, the zoo said.
However, there is still plenty to see with the other capybara adults, Budette, Goomba and Marigold, as well as five older pups in the habitat.
“What a wonderful joy to be blessed with additional capybara pups,” Cape May County Board of Commissioners Vice Director Andrew Bulakowski said in a news release. “Families love this exhibit, and their love will only grow with the sights of these new additions.”
The two pups add to the zoo's capybara population.Capybaras are native to South America and are semi-aquatic rodents. They are the largest members of the rodent family and are found in forested areas near bodies of water, such as lakes, swamps, or rivers.
They typically weigh between 75 and 150 pounds, with females being slightly heavier than males. They are a highly social species and can form large groups to live in.
Pups are up and walking within hours of being born. Then they start eating grass as early as one week. Pups will continue to suckle for about 16 weeks.
The capybaras are part of an array of animals residing at the Cape May County Zoo, which is open daily.
The county parks are open from 7 a.m. to dusk, while the zoo hours are from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit CMCZoo.com.
