The four-month-old siblings, a male and female, are still getting used to their new surroundings, but zoo members can get an exclusive sneak peek<\/a> this Monday from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. The exhibit is tentatively scheduled to open to the public Tuesday, October 13, after the capybaras have had time to acclimate.<\/p>\n The San Francisco Zoo received the pair from the Sacramento Zoo through the Association of Zoos & Aquariums\u2019 Capybara Species Survival Plan<\/a>, which coordinates placements among participating institutions.<\/p>\n The habitat is also home to a giant anteater, a Baird\u2019s tapir named Pacha, a Southern pudu, and two Western Santa Cruz giant tortoises. Eventually, the zoo plans to introduce the capybaras to Pacha, creating a mixed-species exhibit that visitors can view from an overlooking boardwalk.<\/p>\n Capybaras, native to Central and South America, are the world\u2019s largest rodents. According to the zoo, these semi-aquatic animals typically live in lowland areas near water and are strong swimmers, making the habitat\u2019s pond a natural fit.<\/p>\n The zoo says it\u2019s kept capybaras for more than 30 years, including a herd that once lived near its Nile hippopotamuses. In 1999, the animals moved to Puente al Sur, a habitat designed to showcase wildlife from Mexico through Argentina. The zoo hasn\u2019t housed the popular rodents in nearly a decade, though capybaras\u2019 internet fame has surged since 2020.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/SF-Zoo-Capybara-1.jpg\")
San Francisco Zoo<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/SF-Zoo-Capybara-2.jpg\")
San Francisco Zoo<\/p>\n