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‘Top Contender’ Capybara Wins Japan’s Annual Hot Spring Bath Competition

Capybara

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    A capybara from central Japan has won this year’s national “Capybara Long Bath Showdown.”

    The annual contest, which honors the capybara that bathes the longest, took place in various prefectures on Jan. 9.

    With timers at hand, staff waited for their elected capybaras to enter their hot springs out in the snow.

    This year, Cobb from Nasu Animal Kingdom in Tochigi Prefecture took first place after spending one hour, 44 minutes and 36 seconds in his hot spring.

    Cobb. Image via Nasu Animal Kingdom

    Watch Cobb’s (and friends’) performance below:

    This is the fifth consecutive year Nasu Animal Kingdom topped the showdown, making Cobb a career representative.

    In second place was Pol from Izu Shaboten Zoo (Shizuoka Prefecture), who spent one hour, 28 minutes and 4 seconds in the water.

    Pol’s time. Image Screenshot via Izu Shaboten Zoo

    Watch Pol’s (and friends’) performance below:

     

    Ipomoea, from Nagasaki Bio Park (Nagasaki Prefecture), won third place after 23 minutes and 58 seconds.

    Ipomoea. Image via Nagasaki Bio Park

    Watch part of Ipomoea’s (and friends’) performance below:

    In fourth place was Theta, the sole representative of Ishikawa Zoo (Ishikawa Prefecture), who was done with the whole thing after 41 seconds.

    Theta’s time. Image via Ishikawa Zoo

    Watch Theta’s performance below:

    Cobb reportedly won a fruit basket containing the best fruits from every prefecture.

    Feature Images via Nasu Animal Kingdom

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