Those who know me are aware that I am a bit obsessed with elephants. I simply adore them!! They are beautiful, caring, intelligent, amazing animals.

So, you can imagine my surprise when I looked up the friendliest and most caring animal in the world and found that my beautiful elephant was not at the top of the list.

I searched several sites and found that the friendliest and most caring animal is the:

CABYBARA

Who would have thought the world’s largest rodent would be so kind?!

Fun Facts About the Capybara:

• They are semi-aquatic animals
• They are a cross between a rat and a pig
• They are highly social, gentle, and friendly
• They are native to South and Central America
• Their size is very intimidating, weighing up to 65kg or 143lb and measuring 4 ft (1.2m) long and 2 ft (.6m) wide
• They have a lifespan of up to 12 years
• They live in large groups because they are so social, usually in groups of 10 to 20
• They are relaxed and do not get very stressed
• Capybaras can stay submerged underwater for up to 5 minutes.
• They seek shade in the water and mud as their course hair that does not cover their bodies
• They are susceptible to sunburn
• They are known as water hogs, and they are usually found near swamps and watering holes
• They are shy and tame animals
• They are herbivores, their name means “one who eats slender leaves” or “grass-eater.”
• They only mate in the water
• They have webbed feet
• They are a close relative to the guinea pig

Other animals seem to flock to capybaras. They can be found cuddling and playing with cats, dogs, monkeys, rabbits, birds, and other animals.

So, what does this have to do with anything?

Well, there seems to be a distinct lack of kindness and friendliness in the world.

What is kindness? I mean, there is so little of it, maybe we have just forgotten what it is. Perhaps we need to be reminded. According to Merriam-Webster

kindness 

noun

kind·​ness | \ ˈkīn(d)-nəs  \

Definition of kindness

1:        the quality or state of being kind

          //treating people with kindness and respect

2:        a kind deed : FAVOR

          //They did me a great kindness.

3        archaic : AFFECTION

Capybaras are considered quite chill. They are pretty peaceful and friendly toward all other animals in their habitats. These large creatures don’t seem to care much about what happens around them, as long as it does not hurt them.

These sound like amazing animals. No drama, friendly, laid back.

Maybe we need to be like the capybara and practice friendliness and kindness.

Be A Capybara!!