Capybaras have managed to emigrate from S. America to Japan!

In an act of admirable foresight, capybaras predicted the crises and the hunger that would come in the 21st century. Here in Venezuela, people hunt anything and capybaras are delicacies to these stomachs accustomed to hunger and scarcity.

Capybaras were very comfortable here in their natural habitat. They lived under the exact right temperature that helped rodents become capybaras. However, even in the tropical comfort, they felt the imminent crisis and seduced Japanese explorers so they'd take them to zoos in Japan.

Then, they convinced the Japanese to put them in hot springs^[1]. Oh, the life! From that moment on, they became VIP visitors. The Japanese loved the image of a big rodent bathing in onsen to keep warm in cold weather.

The Japanese thought at first that capybaras would not stand the extreme conditions of the varying weather in Japan, but they didn't count on the fate and foresight a great capybara brings with itself.

At first, they were just another exotic creature, but then they showed their adaptability and the characteristic calm of Buddhism. At that moment, the Japanese knew that capybaras were the clear image that they sought.

Capybaras became famous idols. Now hundreds populate the zoos all over the island and have become an essential part of the national culture.

From "mere rodents", they became royalty. In a land that adores images, where caricatures are gods, capybaras were adopted as an exotic mascot of pure cuteness. They were made into plushies, onesies, cartoons, key chains, and are even featured in animes and mangas.

From the dangers of being near hungry Venezuelans with a capybara-eating culture, these beautiful rodents are now touring the attractions of Japan. They are now living the dream of the first world. I made a collage to showcase just a tiny bit of their success.