‘Twas the week before Christmas and all through the San Antonio Zoo, the creatures were stirring amid the slew of baby news. For the first time in 24 years, a new baby capybara was born on site Dec. 3, and he’s named Tupi (pronounced two-pee). Rachel Malstaff, the zoo’s director of mammals, tells The Barbed Wire that Tupi is named after the Indigenous tribe in the Amazon River basin. The Tupi people gave the capybara their name, meaning “grass eater.” His proud capybara parents are named Luna and Neville. 

Zoo officials estimate that Tupi is about the size of a football, or as long as 1.25 bananas and about the height of 5 bananas stacked on top of each other.

Tupi’s been spending all his time with his mom and his Aunt Ginny in a mixed species habitat they share with anteaters. Tupi started eating grass within 24 hours of being born and is also incorporating bamboo into his meals, which is a big step for the development of a furry South American native, also known as the largest rodent in the world. Tupi also likes laying down inside of his food bowl when eating (I mean, who doesn’t).

Tupi does have a holiday wishlist that you can find here. His gift to Texans is his presence, so enjoy this cute photo gallery we put together and remember, this season, we’re all just doing our best — like Tupi. 

Photos Courtesy: San Antonio Zoo

Leslie Rangel, a first generation daughter of Mexican and Guatemalan immigrants, is deputy managing editor for The Barbed Wire. Her award-winning journalism is focused on issues of health, mental wellness,...