A capybara from Nagasaki – aptly named Prune – has won Japan’s annual ‘Capybara Long Bath Showdown’, where zoos across Japan compete to see which capybara takes the longest soak in a hot bath.
Although the world’s largest rodents are native to South America, capybaras have become a much-loved cultural phenomenon in Japan.
They are often seen enjoying the nation’s many hot springs and outdoor baths.
The long bath showdown was held on January 10th and featured capybaras from five zoos across Japan.
Prune, a capybara at Nagasaki Bio Park, stayed in the water for an impressive 1 hour, 45 minutes, and 18 seconds, beating out second-place Koharu the capybara, based at Nasu Animal Kingdom, by over 10 minutes.
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Truffle from Izu Shaboten Zoo came a close third at 1 hour, 26 minutes, and 57 seconds.
Ishikawa Zoo’s entry, Sheeta, only lasted 17 seconds in the bath, placing directly after Hechima of Saitama Children’s Zoo Park.
“It was a close contest,” announced a representative of Saitama Children’s Zoo Park after Hechima placed fourth.
“If Hechima had held on a little longer, she could have been first”.
‘Watermelon Queen’
Although placing fourth in the bathing competition, Hechima’s consecutive streak in Japan’s capybara watermelon speed-eating contest has previously earned her the title of ‘Watermelon Queen’.
The watermelon speed-eating contest features the same selection of zoos competing to see which capybara can eat an entire watermelon the fastest.
Hechima was once again crowned the winner in 2025, the 10th year the competition ran.
She finished off a watermelon in just 1 minute and 56 seconds, maintaining her winning streak for the fourth year in a row.
Organisers of the contest assert that the capybaras are not forced to eat any faster, as it is their instinct to eat quickly to prevent their food from being taken.
The next tournament between Japan’s favourite rodents will be held between July and August.
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Carmela Calling 
Diana Mae Y. Cleto