New animal species arrives at Chemnitz Zoo
Also offspring with the Capybaras
A new animal species has moved into the zoo. Three rock guinea pigs came to Chemnitz from Schwerin Zoo. They now share a flat with dwarf marmosets in the marmoset house. Rock guinea pigs are rodents and are at home in Brazil. They hide in crevices or under boulders and are good climbers and jumpers. The species lives gregariously and forms territorial harem groups.
Their close relatives, the capybaras, have had offspring. The young animal is currently still living with its family - parents and older siblings - in the tropical house. They will move to the South America enclosure in the spring.
Capybaras are the largest rodents in the world; adult males can grow up to 130 cm long and weigh 70 kg. They can be found in various habitats in South America, such as rainforests and savannahs, along watercourses and swamps.
Opening hours
Zoo: 9 am - 7 pm, last admission 6 pm
Game enclosure: 8 am - 6 pm
