The morning sun filters through the trees at Granja Don Severo, a small farm located close to the Paraguayan city of Encarnación. And there, just ahead on the grass, a group of capybaras lounges as if they have nothing in the world to worry about. One chews lazily on a blade of grass. Another dozes, eyes nearly closed in pure serenity. A third accepts a gentle pat from a giggling child, unbothered and unmoved. The first thing most visitors notice is not the capybara’s size, but the stillness.
As visitors step onto the soft grass of Granja Don Severo, a capybara often waddles slowly towards them. It pauses a few feet away, blinks with serene indifference, and then lies down: unbothered, unimpressed, completely at ease. That, observers quickly realise, is the true charm of the capybara.
In the outskirts of Encarnación, in Paraguay’s southern Itapúa department, this humble recreational and educational farm has become the perfect place to witness the phenomenon first-hand. Within minutes, the reason behind the national fascination becomes clear: capybaras are a vibe and Paraguay has fallen head over heels.
Granja Don Severo began nearly a decade ago as a family-run educational space where children could learn about animals and rural life. Today, the farm has become a popular destination for families, school groups, and selfie-seekers alike. Weekends are particularly lively and the recent winter holidays saw even larger crowds. Most visitors come for the stars of the show: over 50 capybaras, from curious pups to calm, wise-eyed adults, whose viral charm continues to capture hearts.
From quiet grasslands to TikTok stardom
Capybaras were quietly iconic until social media changed everything. The online boom began slowly but picked up extraordinary momentum earlier in 2025. Videos of capybaras started surfacing on TikTok: short clips of these massive rodents lounging, nuzzling, swimming, or tolerating birds perched on their heads. Paired with trending audios, the capybara meme was born.
Soon, people everywhere were celebrating them as symbols of calm, unbothered energy. Playlists, remixes and POV videos followed, hailing the capybara as “the most relaxed animal alive.” The trend made its way to Paraguay and quickly found a real-world home at Granja Don Severo, where visitors now come for selfies, videos and up-close encounters with the mellow stars.
Unlike many internet fads, the real-life experience does not disappoint. Children squeal with delight as a capybara lets them stroke its fur. Teenagers film videos with their new favourite animal. Adults, amused and enchanted, sit quietly nearby hoping to absorb a little of that serenity.
Capybara: straight from Guaraní language
Capybaras, known locally as carpinchos, are not new to this region. They have roamed South America’s wetlands for millennia, thriving in tropical rivers, swamps, and marshes from Colombia to northern Argentina. In Paraguay, they are a familiar sight near rivers, savannahs, and wetlands.
The name “capybara” has roots in Indigenous South American languages, particularly Guaraní and Tupi. In Guaraní, kapi’yva translates to “lord of the grass” or “grass-eater,” while in Tupi, ka’apiûara means “one who eats thin leaves.” In Paraguay and other Spanish-speaking countries, the animal is more commonly known as “carpincho” or “capincho”, that also traces back to Guaraní, possibly from kapi’i (grass) combined with the suffix -ncho, reflecting the animal’s habitat and diet.
Some sources suggest an alternate origin from Quechua, where k’arpa refers to a “large frog” or “aquatic creature,” likely referencing the capybara’s semi-aquatic lifestyle. While its scientific name, Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, comes from Greek words for “water” and “pig”, a nod to its amphibious lifestyle and pig-like appearance, the capybara is in fact more closely related to guinea pigs.
Capybaras are herbivores, feeding on grasses, aquatic plants, and fruit. They are semi-aquatic creatures with webbed feet, excellent swimmers, and a love for relaxing in water. They are also the largest rodents in the world growing up to 1.3 metres in length and weighing as much as 70 kilograms. Yet despite their size, their peaceful nature is what truly captivates.
Paraguay’s new cultural icon: the rise of carpinchomanía
The capybara craze has extended far beyond social media and farms. Across Paraguay, capybara-themed merchandise now fills shelves: mugs, stationery, keyrings, plush toys, chairs, statues, backpacks, even mate gourds. Shopkeepers report that capybaras items are popular and selling fast.
In many ways, the capybara has become a national mascot for PAraguay. Its symbolism, patience, gentleness, and peaceful coexistence, resonates deeply in a world that feels increasingly rushed and loud. Capybaras have gone from meme to meaningful.
Earlier in 2025, two new capybaras arrived at the Asunción Zoo, further fuelling Paraguay’s growing obsession with these gentle giants. They now hold a special place in Paraguayan culture.
Why the world needs capybaras
So why has the world’s largest rodent become one of Paraguay’s most adored animals?
It’s not just their endearing faces or meme-worthy looks. In an era of distraction and speed, the capybara represents something rare: quiet confidence. Their slow movements, relaxed postures and tranquil presence remind us that it is okay to slow down, to float, to rest, to simply be.
At Don Severo, surrounded by soft-eyed carpinchos and the joyful sounds of children, it is clear these animals are more than a passing trend. They represent a softer, more mindful way of living.
We admire their stillness. We laugh at their expressions. And in their calm gaze, we recognise something we crave: balance. Capybaras do not rush. They do not panic. They simply exist. That is their magic.
From TikTok videos to artisan markets and weekend road trips, the capybara has gone from obscure curiosity to cultural icon one plush toy, meme, and farm visit at a time. And unlike most trends, this one is not going anywhere. It is here to stay: quietly, gently, and completely on its own terms.
For more information, find Granja Don Servero on Instagram.
