Your morning adorable: Capybaras frolic in Japanese children’s zoo

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We know what some of you may be thinking: Giant rodents? That’s what you call adorable?

Well, we happen to think that they are adorable, but for those readers who may disagree, we’re prepared to back our assertion up with facts: Some capybaras like these have been known to enjoy a good Popsicle every now and then. (That’s adorable.) And sometimes they’ll even perform tricks like a well-behaved dog. (That’s really adorable.)

Perhaps needless to say, we’re big fans of capybaras -- semiaquatic rodents native to South America that resemble giant guinea pigs -- for their odd looks and endearing personalities. Other folks are fans of another aspect of the species: its meat. (Bolivia recently announced plans to export capybara meat to Venezuela, where the species has been hunted extensively.)

Fortunately for these capybaras, they’re in no danger of being hunted -- they’re residents of the Saitama Children’s Zoo in Saitama Prefecture, Japan, where they seem to be a big hit with zoo visitors. See more photos of them after the jump!

-- Lindsay Barnett