Peppermint Patty, the Sacramento Zoo’s resident capybara, gave birth on Monday to a litter of five pups, zoo staff announced this week. Zookeepers say the newborns are bright, active and nursing well as their first-time mother settles into parenthood. Guests are already able to spot the family at the capybara habitat inside William Land Park.
In a statement to CBS Sacramento, lead keeper Anela Medeiros said, "All of the pups are bright and alert, and Peppermint Patty is doing great as a first-time mom." Zookeepers told the outlet that the pups all seem to be doing well and that staff will monitor the group closely as they grow.
Capybara basics
Capybaras are the world’s largest rodents and are adapted to life in and near water, with partially webbed feet and strong swimming ability. According to the Natural History Museum, capybara pups are precocial—able to stand and follow their mother almost immediately after birth—so visitors may see the youngsters moving around with mom within days.
A busy year at the zoo
The capybara litter caps off a string of newborns at the Sacramento Zoo this year. The facility celebrated its first okapi birth earlier this month, as reported by KCRA, and added a Masai giraffe calf in March, as per CBS Sacramento, highlighting the animal-care team's busy season.
Plan your visit
The Sacramento Zoo sits inside William Land Park at 3930 West Land Park Drive; visitors should check hours and ticketing before they go. For address and visitor info, see Sacramento365, and keep an eye on the zoo’s official channels for exhibit updates or temporary behind-the-scenes closures that might affect viewing times.
The animal care team will continue routine checks as the pups gain weight and explore their enclosure, and the zoo says it appreciates members' support for its conservation work. Expect more photos and updates from the zoo and local outlets in the days ahead.
