Green Capybara Exposed: The Truth Behind the Viral Sensation

Imagine spotting a green capybara! The excitement and revelation of a new species would be quite a jolt for the zoology world. But was it a new species or just a classic case of misunderstood appearances? This was the puzzle sparked by a viral tweet in 2021, claiming a new species of capybara dubbed Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris viridis.

Does Green Capybara New Species Exist?

green capybara

Blurred Facts and Frisky Fur


In 2021, wildlife photographer Bruno Brack amazed the internet with a unique video. It featured a group of capybaras happily playing in the fields. What caught everyone’s attention? Their bodies sported mysterious green stripes. People on social media went wild with theories. Were these capybaras a whole new species waiting to be discovered? Whether Bruno meant it as a joke or a real push for science, his video did the trick. It sparked a frenzy of curiosity, giving birth to the “Green Capybara” mystery.

Green Illusion or New Revelation?

Despite the enthusiasm, some well-informed users were quick to douse the fires of hype. The peculiar green stripes on the capybaras were suspected to be nothing more than mere algae. However, as the dust settled, Brack aimed to clarify the matter with a second tweet. This time, he revealed that the green capybaras were, in fact, regular capybaras merely covered in algae and duckweed!

The Real Deal

It turns out, the green capybara story was merely an unintentional ruse. Brack’s second tweet ushered in a wave of disappointment among the awestruck social media users. The green capybaras were indeed merely well-camouflaged normal capybaras. The prevailing fascination and intrigue were replaced by a universal sigh — a collective disappointment.

Capybara Reality

To set the records straight further, there exist only four known species of capybara. Out of which two are already extinct. The remaining two include the greater capybara, often mistaken as the green capybara. And the lesser capybara, commonly referred to as the red capybara. Regardless of what exotic colors they appear to sport in unique situations, their stripes don’t appear green!

Final Takeaways

In the world of animal science and photography, intrigue, curiosity, and misinformation often go hand-in-hand. The uproar surrounding the elusive green capybara unraveled a simple reality – color perception and reality can often create a paradox, even in the animal kingdom. Thus, while the sighting of green capybaras excited and mystified many, it was eventually revealed to be a simple sleight of nature.

The epic tale of the green capybara of 2021 remains a classic case in illustrating the power of user engagement online and the dual-edged sword of fast-spreading information. Let it be a reminder for all of us – always second-guess information before accepting it as the gospel truth. Even if it’s regarding the cute, friendly and large-sized rodents like the capybara!