Capybaras, the World's Largest Rodents, Walk Into Brazil's Mato Grosso Legislature

A small group of capybaras walked into the Mato Grosso state legislature in Cuiaba, Brazil, on July 30, and no one was surprised. The building is where lawmakers meet, but the animals moved through it calmly while the politicians were preparing for a vote.

This was not the first time. The building stands next to a park full of wildlife, so the capybaras are regular visitors. Nayara Bueno, a staff member who filmed them, said, "They show up here quite often, so we've gotten used to seeing them." When workers see the animals, they do not panic. They simply turn them around and guide them back to the park.

Capybaras are native to South America and are the world's largest rodents, a group of animals that includes mice and rats. They live near rivers and lakes, usually in groups, and adults can weigh as much as 80 kilograms (175 pounds). They are famous online because they stay calm and like to be around other capybaras. That relaxed behavior was clear in the legislature.

The animals caused no damage. Their short visit showed a clear difference: the legislature is a formal place where politicians work, but the capybaras were calm and slow. For the staff, it was not a crisis. It was just another ordinary visit from some very relaxed neighbors.