Let's Spend The Next 10 Minutes Marveling At How Awkward Capybaras Are

Capybaras are the largest rodents in the world and are native to South America, dwelling mostly in rainforests and savannas and near large bodies of water. They can also be domesticated and make quite good pets, which is fitting, because they basically look like giant guinea pigs.

Capybaras are notably social animals, and usually live in groups of 10-20. But that doesn't stop them from being awkward AF at all times. Seriously though, everything about them from their body type to the way they encounter other animals is so, so awkward. In fact, I hereby officially declare the capybara the world's most awkward animal.

Like all rodents, capybaras have four huge front teeth, which constantly grow to compensate for the wear-and-tear of chewing grass and reeds. They also have 16 molars, four on each jaw segment. They chew back and fourth instead of up and down, since their jaws aren't aligned perpendicularly.

Like, what's going on here? It's like a mix of a webbed bird's foot and a hoof. As if that wasn't weird enough, capybaras have four toes on their front feet, but only three on their back feet. What?

Also, their front legs are slightly shorter than their hind legs. So there's that.

Another way to describe them is "barrel-shaped," but I definitely prefer "sweet potato." The capybara young, which are also called pups, basically have no neck and look like coconuts. They're pretty cute.

I get it, they're friendly animals. But for Christ's sake, have some self-esteem.

Honestly, they're probably just stroking the rodent to get a feel of its weird, wiry fur that apparently feels like coconut hair.

I guess they like paper bags and pools. They're semi-aquatic, and they actually mate exclusively in water. That probably makes for pretty awkward sex, but I can't say I'm surprised.

Even if they constantly act like they're on an awkward first date around their pet siblings.

And the other pets don't seem so interested in playing. They're still pretty cool pets TBH, but you can't own them everywhere. It's definitely legal to own a capybara in Texas and Pennsylvania , but you should hit up your local government to ask if you can own one in other parts of the US.

It's a sad fact that there isn't a pro college or high school team in the nation that uses this sorry animal as a mascot. Maybe it's because the capybara is probably the least ferocious animal out there though they are known to make a dog-like barking sound when confronted by predators or maybe it's because they aren't exactly considered "beautiful." I still think they're pretty cute though, in the same way a sweet potato is cute.

They're extremely picky kinda . They only eat grass, aquatic plants and some fruits, but they're also autocoprophagus, which means they eat their own poop. It makes feeding time very awkward.

In fact, they can run as fast as a horse, and I find that both shocking and extremely impressive for any creature with the body of an alcoholic Chicago sports fan.

I would totally adopt one, but not if they play the ukulele. That's for awkward high schoolers and I will not stand for any ukulele covers of Taking Back Sunday songs in my house.