Multi-species South American habitat debuts at Nashville Zoo

Nate Rau

A small capybara. Photo: courtesy of the Nashville Zoo

A new South American habitat at the Nashville Zoo will be home to multiple species of rare and cute animals.

Why it matters: Visitors will be able to see capybara pups, a giant anteater and two species of birds unique to the continent.

Zoom in: The new exhibit opens Friday, beginning with the newly acquired capybaras, which are named Andouille and Brie. The capybaras will share the new habitat with two crested screamers, which are large gray wetland birds.

In time, zookeepers will introduce a giant anteater and three common rheas, which are the largest birds in South America. Giant anteaters typically weigh between 70 and 100 pounds.

What's for dinner: To accommodate the giant anteater and other animals in their new habitat, curators built an artificial termite mound.

Fun fact: The Nashville Zoo is a leader in giant anteater preservation. Since 2001, 19 giant anteaters have been born at the zoo's breeding facility.

The zoo is home to the largest collection of captive giant anteaters in the U.S. Anteaters are considered vulnerable to extinction.

Fun fact, part two: Anteaters are Nate's favorite animal and capybaras are his son Everett's favorite. Well played, Nashville Zoo.

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Multi-species South American habitat debuts at Nashville Zoo

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