Buttercup the Capybara Gives Birth at Cape May Zoo

OMG, aren't these guys cute? Buttercup, the capybara at Cape May Zoo, gave birth to two adorable pups on Tuesday, April 14th.

Cape May Zoo made the happy announcement on Monday on Facebook.

Congratulations to Buttercup and Goomba! Here is the Zoo's happy posting about the pups.

Buttercup has given birth once again after delivering two pups back in October. She welcomed the two newest additions on April 14. Both litters were sired by Goomba, the resident 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 crowds.

However, there is still plenty to see with the other adults, Budette, Goomba, and Marigold, as well as five older pups in the habitat.

The quick turnaround between litters got me curious about how Buttercup can keep up.

The gestation period of a capybara mother is typically about 5 months -- roughly 130 to 150 days.

Females generally produce one litter per year, resulting in an average of two to eight pups, which are born well-developed and able to eat leafy plants shortly after birth.

A Little Info on Capybaras

Capybaras? Aren't they rodents? Well, yes, but not just any rodents.

By the way, capybara is pronounced 'cap-uh- BAR-uh'.

Capybaras are the biggest rodents on Earth, according to National Geographic. They grow to be about twice the size of beavers (also rodents).

Like beavers, capybaras, natives of South America, are strong swimmers. Their pig-shaped bodies are adapted for life in bodies of water found in forests, seasonally flooded savannas, and wetlands.

The Cape May Zoo informs us that it has a capybara breeding program, overseen by the Species Survival Plan Program.

This program aims to breed responsibly to produce a genetically diverse and demographically stable population.

Remember, the Cape May County Zoo is one of our local South Jersey treasures, and it is absolutely free of charge.

Cape May Zoo is open every day except Christmas, from 10 am to 4:30 pm, at 707 Route 9 in Cape May Court House.