Let's chill with capibaras in Florida!

Activity 1 : Spend 4 minutes reading the following text

Capybaras have become internet stars thanks to their calm nature and cute faces. Now, people in Florida can meet these giant, gentle rodents in real life. A special place called the Capybara Café opened in St. Augustine in October 2024, and it’s already very popular.

At this café, visitors can spend time with capybaras, feed them corn, and even cuddle with them if the animals are in the mood. Some capybaras love sitting on people's laps! The café also has other animals like a skunk, an armadillo, and a wallaby, who also enjoy meeting people.

Even though it’s called a café, the place doesn’t sell food or drinks for people. Instead, it offers capybara-themed t-shirts, mugs, and soft toys. Tickets cost from $49 for 30 minutes to $99 for an hour with the animals. Visits must be booked in advance because the place gets full quickly.

Capybaras are originally from South America, but some now live in Florida. No one knows exactly how they got there, but many people are happy to see them. The café was created to support a local animal sanctuary called Noah’s Ark. The owner also wants to open a second café in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Activity 2: Complete the True or False below.

1. The Capybara Café has been open since 2020.

2. Capybaras are calm animals that enjoy relaxing with people.

3. You can buy coffee and snacks at the Capybara Café.

4. The café also helps raise money for an animal sanctuary.

5. You don’t need a reservation to visit the café.

Activity 4: Fill the blanks with the vocabulary from Activity 3

1. After a long day, I just want to __________ with my dog on the couch.

2. The Capybara Café is becoming more __________ every day because of its adorable animals.

3. The animal __________ is dedicated to protecting endangered species and offering a safe environment for them.

4. You should always __________ your appointment if you want to meet the capybaras, as the slots fill up quickly.

5. The capybara climbed right into my __________, making me feel like I was its new best friend.

6. The café's cups and shirts have a __________ capybara logo on them, making them even more fun to buy.

7. My cat is very __________; she lies around and takes long naps all day.

8. Before you enter the café, make sure you're __________ to spend time with the animals—otherwise, you might miss the experience!

9. The café attracts many __________ who love animals and want to interact with the capybaras and other creatures.

10. At the café, it's common to see people __________ their pets to get close and enjoy their gentle company.

Activity 5: Choose one of the following prompts and write a short paragraph (share it below) or record a voice note.

• Why do you think people are so fascinated by capybaras and other animals in cafés? What does this tell us about human-animal connections?

  • Consider how animals influence our emotions and well-being. Do you think spending time with animals could improve mental health?

• What does the popularity of themed cafés like the Capybara Café say about current trends in entertainment and leisure activities?

  • Do you believe these kinds of experiences are a temporary trend, or are they becoming a long-term part of modern culture?

• How does visiting places like The Capybara Café help to raise awareness about animal conservation? What role do businesses play in educating the public about environmental issues?

  • Think about how local businesses, including cafés or zoos, can influence people's attitudes towards protecting wildlife and their habitats.