Tennessee isn’t just famous for country music and hot chicken anymore. Across the state, from the Smoky Mountains to the Mississippi River, you’ll find something a lot more unusual: chances to hang out with the world’s largest rodent.
Capybaras, those barrel-shaped, webbed-toed critters from South America, have become surprise stars at farms and zoos throughout Tennessee, and meeting one face-to-face might just become your favorite animal experience ever.
1. Memphis Zoo — Memphis
Memphis Zoo rolled out something pretty special when they introduced their Exclusive Close Encounters Capybara experience. This isn’t your typical zoo visit where you squint through glass hoping to spot a furry blob. Instead, you’re stepping into the capybara’s world for genuine one-on-one time with these social superstars.
Designed for guests eight and older, the encounter gives small groups of two to four people a chance to learn what makes capybaras tick. You’ll discover why these semi-aquatic mammals love lounging in water, why their teeth never stop growing, and what their surprisingly complex social lives look like. The zoo staff shares fascinating details about capybara behavior that you’d never pick up from just watching them waddle around…