Can you Legally Own a Capybara in Arizona?

Sometimes I get an idea, and I can't get it out of my head. It's the cute attracts cute algorithm that turns my social media feed away from the best pop songs of the last 100 years to the best dog breeds if you're a couch potato, to cutest animals you never knew existed.

Which brings me to the capybara. Lately, I've been watching adorable videos featuring these giant rodents, and it made me wonder if I could legally adopt one in Arizona.

(I confess, they're so stinking cute, I would consider bending (breaking?) Arizona law to own one, if the answer turns out to be 'no'.)

Hey, these dogs will never let you get you off the couch: The Dog Breeds That Should Be Illegal (For Arizona Couch Potatoes!)

 Can You Own a Capybara in Arizona?

The good news is, if I do take the plunge and adopt a capybara, animal control authorities won't be arresting me. We are legally allowed to own capybaras in Arizona!!

But that brings me to the next dilemma. The only time I've seen a capy (may I call these adorable critters "capys" for short??) is in a zoo. My pet store certainly isn't stocking them, so where would I even get one?

Adopting a Capybara: What You Need to Know

First, the capybara is considered an exotic animal. Before I do anything else, I'll need to get a permit from the Arizona Game and Fish Department to keep things legal.

Next, to stay square with the law, I'll have to provide capy-appropriate housing, figure out how to take care of it, and have a capy-friendly veterinarian lined up.

Some Arizona cities might have more rules, so if you're thinking about adopting a capybara, you'll have to double-check local ordinances before you dive in.

By the way, here are some more exotic pets you can legally own in Arizona: Exotic Pets You Can Own in Arizona

What Is It Like to Live with a Capybara?

Once I get that all squared away and assuming I find a licensed capybara-dealer (is that a thing?), what's it like to live with a capybara?

ZooGuide.com says capys are native to South America, and they're the world's largest rodents, but don't let that freak you out.

Based on what I can glean from the roughly eleventy-billion videos I've watched, their personalities are more like an introverted golden retriever: friendly, social, and chill, but not nearly as needy.

According to RodentsInfo.com, a capybara is about the same size as a large dog, too, weighing in at about 77 to 150 pounds and up to 4 feet long. 

In their homeland, they tend to hang out in wetlands, rivers, and savannas. They’re semi-aquatic, super social, and very relaxed.

They love lounging in water, which is something I'm going to have to figure out in this arid desert. They also like hanging out in groups, so I might just have to adopt (at least) two of them.

So, it looks like my dreams could come true: I am allowed to own a capybara in Arizona!!  Now, if I can just get my husband on board.