Capybaras are evolved to have a really strong social and emotional bonding to each other in their families and herd members. They aren't just simply "there", but as prey animals, they feel the safest in their herds. They have evolved to have an emotional intelligence so high that experienced observers like u/CapybaraWorld say that they are more sensitive emotionally than most humans. This may be partly because of their excellent sense of smell which allows them to smell the hormones related to emotional states like stress and unhappiness.

The quality of their environment can drastically decide on how well and long they are living their lives in it. In the best cases, they can live up to 15 years in captivity. However, there are many places in the world (like Japanese animal cafes) where even basic welfare requirements aren't provided. This can result them not living more than 3 years. It doesn't just affect them physically, but their emotions are strongly related to their mental well-being.

Their emotions are also really similar to human emotions. However the way how they are showing these emotions most of the time can be vastly different how they are perceive them. A stressed capybara, who has been separated from his herd might look calm at first, but sitting still for a long time can be a result of the capybara losing his will to move. This stress comes from a natural instinct; a lone capybara in the wild is almost certain that he isn't going to survive. Captive capybaras don't lose their natural instincts. If not a predator, the immense amount of stress and depression will be the thing that cause him a premature death. Capybaras can feel the safest by knowing that the herd is together. They aren't just simply social, but they are sophisticated, gregarious and highly sensitive emotionally.

Image credits: Fiver, der Hellseher via Wikimedia Commons used under Creative Commons/Educational Non-Commercial Use.

Sources:

Book by Liz Capaldi - "My Life With Capybaras What Capybaras Have Taught Me"

Capybara World (Liz's WordPress blogs), particularly the articles covering capybara behavior and welfare written by a researcher who has studied these animals for 15 years.

That is the question: I understand why it isn't found in other wild animals, but why is there no merle color in selectively bred animals like horses, cats, sheep, or cows? Is merle only possible in dogs?

​Hi everyone,

I am a BSc student in Animal Science at Timiryazev Academy in Russia, specializing in animal nutrition and feed technology. I am interested in doing the research/practical part of my bachelor thesis at a European university, research lab, feed company, or livestock-related organization, while officially defending the thesis at my home university.

The idea would be something like a short research internship or thesis placement abroad: I would have an official academic supervisor at my home university, and ideally an external supervisor or mentor at the host organization. The final thesis would be submitted and defended in Russia, but the data collection, practical work, or part of the research could be carried out in Europe.

My interests are animal nutrition, cattle feeding, feed quality, silage, mineral supplementation, rumen health, and feed efficiency.

I would like to ask:

Is this type of arrangement common or realistic for a bachelor student?

What is the best way to contact potential supervisors or companies: professors directly, international offices, research groups, or internship coordinators?

How should I phrase this request in English: “research internship”, “thesis placement”, “visiting student”, or something else?

Are there any funding options for short research placements, especially for non-EU students?

What documents would usually be expected from my home university or host organization?

As a recent Animal Science graduate, I envisioned starting my career and contributing to livestock production and welfare. Instead, I find myself facing an incredibly difficult reality in Iraq—unemployed, financially drained, and without a clear path forward.

​I am writing this because I refuse to give up. I am urgently looking for any entry-level roles, internships, or assistant positions in the livestock, poultry, or agricultural sector outside of Iraq. I have the academic knowledge and the dedication; I just need an opportunity to prove myself and escape this stagnation.

​If your organization is hiring or if you have any leads, please reach out. Any support or guidance would mean the world to me right now.

I am feeling very stuck in my career. I currently work as a 4-H educator in Savannah, GA. I have my bachelors in Animal Science and just finished a masters in Ag Education and Communications, and as much as I love my job, it just doesn’t pay what I need to with the M.S. I love informal teaching and would prefer to find something similar, but I also really miss working in animal science (I have previously worked in vets offices and prefer working with horses/livestock). I am not in the position to relocate at the moment but I am open to both in person and remote positions. Any ideas???

Hi, I want to work in pet food R&D or Food Safety&Quality of small animal nutrition for a global company like Royal Canin, Mars, Purina, or Hill’s.

However, I feel a bit confused after searching the qualifications of the jobs.

I’d really appreciate any advice from people working in pet food industry or studying in related fields.

such as.. Is a Master’s in Animal Science enough for a career in pet food R&D?

-

I’m almost 30 and currently work in the food industry. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, and before that I worked as a chef.

I understand my knowledge of animal nutrition isn’t strong enough.

So, I’ve been looking at Animal Nutrition, but there is not such thing, but Animal Science master’s programs. But many seem focused on livestock rather than companion animals.

I’ve also considered veterinary school, but another 4–5 years is a big commitment, and a vet student recently told me it might be too much for my career goals.

I’m also not affordable or eligible to work in the US :(, so I’m mainly considering Europe as an international student, such as WUR or University of Hohenheim! Other school recommendations are welcome too!

Thank you!

Anyone here in Philippines, having a hard time finding a job as BS Animal Science? I’m having a hard time
find a job a

First off, my family’s dog has lost his vision ever since was a pup, he’s been to the vet plenty times but I’m not the person who takes them so idk what he has but he’s been happy living and has no pain so there’s no worry’s.

Second I just thought it’d be cool for people in your field to see inside of a dogs eye and tell me any interesting facts and what not about my dogs eye.
It looks like the iris fell off and just floats inside, again he’s in no pain and has been to the vet.

He’s not my dog but the family’s and I have cats so I spend more time with them then our husky named ghost, we have 2 others. But I decided to take a super close look for the first time and saw some interesting things, when he moves the iris just bounces around.

What are your thoughts? Ever seen this before?

Does anyone else feel this way???

Hello,
I am currently a student studying a bachelors degree in animal sciences.
For my dissertation I am needing numerous cameras that are ideally under £40 but can record an animal for 2 hours straight. I need continuous recording for these two hours and it preferably onto an Sd/MicroSD card. It can be wireless or plugged in as sockets are not an issue. I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations?

Thank you!!!

Hey! I am going to be graduating with a BS in Animal Science very soon. Naturally, now is the time when I look back and wish I had done this or that during my college years. I started undergrad with vet school in mind. However, I've done four internships in vet med, and yet I'm STILL not sure if I want that as my career. Whether it's self-doubt or actual aversion to the career itself, I don't know. It doesn't help that I'm extremely burnt out and stressed and I feel like I need a major break before job hunting. At the same time, I'm scared my degree will amount to nothing.

All this to say I'm very intrigued by conservation work and research. I do wish I had joined a lab during my time in college to get a taste of that world. But here we are. I'm really inspired by the work of the San Diego Zoo, rehabilitation stories, wildlife conservation, and building a world where humans and wildlife can coexist. That's where my passion lies: wildlife. But I'm overwhelmed by all the possible routes I can go and I just don't know where to start. Vet? Conservation? Research (but as a graduate)? Where do I look?

Any advice or personal stories would be appreciated. I feel so much internal pressure to do everything NOW and figure out my life, as many people I know have a much clearer direction of what to do next...

I know it'll turn out alright, but that doesn't stop the post-grad crisis lol

Hey, I just graduated from UF (Gainesville, FL) with a bachelors in Animal Science with a concentration in animal biology. Currently work in the vet assistant field, but want to do something with my bachelors… can’t find anything but research and they haven’t reached out to me yet. What should I do? Is there anything remote/ or jobs that aren’t on indeed that hires new grads? (20/hr+) since I make around there rn

I just graduated with my BS in animal science and I’m looking for jobs. I’m into research or Pharma and would ideally not work as a vet tech. I wanna live in a city like Philly, Chicago, NJ, NY or NYC. What places or positions should I look into? I feel like I’ve looked everywhere and keep getting rejections. Please help.

Hi guys, I’m graduating with my Animal Science AS this year and I wanna know what careers I can get with that degree? :) I do plan on going to a senior college afterwards for Biology since there is no other Animal Science major colleges in my city but I wanna know what jobs I can get in the meantime. Thank you!

hiii! i’m an international student planning to study animal science next year! i’ve received a conditional offer from unimelb and im awaiting my UQ results (but i’ve heard that they’re only released late this year and im worried my unimelb spot will be taken if i wait that long😭)

does anyone have any advice on whether unimelb or UQ is better? - in terms of faculty, course structure, and uni culture (especially as an international student)?

i’m also planning to stay in australia after grad to work so which country has better job prospects and culture as well? i’m leaning towards melbourne right now as i’ve heard brisbane is more urban and hot and i prefer slower paced environments and cooler climates + also heard lots of great things from unimelb students but im still deciding!

sorry for the long post, any advice would really be appreciated! thank you so much!! :)

i just got an offer to study animal science at murdoch! im still thinking if i should accept it...

i want to work with animals, specifically with wildlife (rehabilitation/nutrition/ just taking care of them) will animal science allow me to achieve that? if not, what are some other career options for ani sci?

im also curious about the culture and workload in murdoch as im an international student!

if anyone has any opinions or advice, do feel free to share 🥹

What are your thoughts on this? I've been following language studies about meerkats and the Japanese tit bird, how we're decoding their language and getting closer to human-animal communication/translation. When I read that they chatted with a whale for 20 min, I got excited. Then I saw the point of the study. Extraterrestrials. Look, I'm as curious about aliens as the next guy. But can we maybe start by learning to talk to the creatures on this planet? Why is a study only worth financing when it's about hypothetical creatures billions of light-years away?

I am a senior in high school. I will be attending college to major in Animal Science, and I’d really appreciate your honest advice. I have a strong passion for working with animals, but I have done research and most of the careers in this field don’t pay very well. For those of you who are studying or working in Animal Science, do you feel like it was worth it? Do you have any regrets, or things you wish you knew before choosing this path?

I am open to hear everyone’s experiences and any advice you have. Thank you!