Meet Delta and Marsh, the delightful capybara duo who call the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s Adventure Cove region home! Known as the largest rodents in the world, capybaras are fascinating creatures, and Delta and Marsh are no exception. Here are five facts you might not know about them, straight from their dedicated Care team.
How to Tell Delta and Marsh Apart
If you're visiting the Columbus Zoo and want to tell Delta and Marsh apart, here's a handy tip: Delta is slightly larger than Marsh. However, the easiest way to differentiate them is by looking for a faded (or sometimes obvious) black mark behind Marsh's ears. This mark is actually pet-safe hair dye! The dye is applied while giving Marsh scratches, which he particularly enjoys. This practice helps both new and seasoned staff quickly and easily identify each capybara.
Bubble Baths as Enrichment
Capybaras are natural swimmers, and Delta and Marsh are no exception. You may not know, however, that Delta and Marsh love a good bubble bath! While bubble baths aren't a typical feature of a capybara's natural environment, they provide unique sensory experiences and enrichment opportunities. Though they now mainly enjoy these baths in their indoor pool, the bubbles offer a different way for them to interact with water and keep them engaged.
Muddy Playtime
Delta and Marsh have a special fondness for rolling in the mud, a behavior common to many capybaras. This muddy play serves multiple purposes: it protects their skin from the sun, deters insects, and helps keep them cool. Our capybaras take this a step further by repeating a playful cycle of swimming, rolling in the mud, rinsing off in the water, and then rolling in the mud again. In the winter, the Zoo even provides them with an indoor mud wallow, which they enthusiastically enjoy, often shaking off mud everywhere—much to the amusement (and sometimes surprise) of our staff.
Favorite Snacks and Treats
When it comes to treats, Delta and Marsh have a clear favorite: pumpkins! In the off-season, they enjoy other snacks like apples, pears, grapes, and sweet potatoes. While produce isn't a staple in their diet due to its sugar content, these treats are used as rewards during training sessions. Although they’ve been offered carrots, corn, and bananas, Delta and Marsh clearly have discerning tastes, often opting for their preferred treats instead.
Unique Training and Skills
Delta and Marsh have learned some impressive tricks that might surprise our visitors. They participate in the "capybara parade," a behavior that involves walking from their indoor space to their outdoor yard. This took a summer of training, but now they execute it perfectly.
They are also trained to step onto a scale for monthly weigh-ins and even voluntarily receive injections when needed. One of Marsh's more creative skills is his ability to hold a paintbrush and create artworks. His masterpieces are available for purchase in our Zoo Marketplace, with proceeds going toward further enrichment for our animals!
We hope these insights into Delta and Marsh's lives have deepened your appreciation for this charming species. Be sure to stop by and say hello to them on your next visit to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium!
Visit Adventure Cove at the Columbus Zoo
