They're sleek, smooth and above all have diddy little legs - but unlike their rat rodent relatives these little fellas are cuddly and cute.

This litter of Capybara pups can now be seen by visitors to Howletts Wild Animal Park at Bekesbourne where they were born last month.

Keeper Joel Bunce said: "Capybaras are the largest of the rodent species and have big bodies with short heads and shorter front legs than back legs.

"Their feet are slightly webbed with four toes on the front and three toes on the back feet. When they dive they can remain under water for up to five minutes."

Howletts has a group of six Capybara - five female and one male. The group has three breeding females and litters are normally weaned around 16 weeks.

Joel said: "These lovely animals are great to look after, the pups are so curious at the moment and at feeding time make the funniest noises as they jumble over each other for the food."

Capybaras are not endangered in the wild although their numbers are declining in some areas due to hunting. Their natural predators are large constrictors.

For opening times and further information please visit www.aspinallfoundation.org