# Purse Rats Capybara Pets May Replace Popular Purse Poodles By boom chicky boom | Published 2010-02-16 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/giant-hamster-pets References: [telegraph](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/howaboutthat/7213446/Giant-Hamster-pictures-of-Caplin-Rous-the-pet-capybara-at-home-in-Texas.html) This 100 lb giant hamster is real and is living as a pet in the Texas home of owner Melanie Typaldos. Melanie was introduced to the largest rodent species in the world, a Capybara, on a trip to Venezuela and found that she could purchase this rare rodent on a farm in Texas. The giant hamster's name is Caplin Rous and is a close relative of the [more common pet, the guinea pig](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nano-mals). Perhaps these giant critters will replace [purse dogs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pooch-bag) in the near future. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.8/10 - Popularity: 88% | Activity: 77% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Humor](https://www.trendhunter.com/humor) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Capybara Pets as Alternative to Purse Dogs:** A disruptive innovation opportunity for the pet industry may include marketing capybaras as an alternative to traditional purse dogs, appealing to those looking for exotic pets. - **Exotic Pet Trends:** An opportunity for exotic pet shops and breeders to market capybaras and other unusual animals as a trend in the pet industry. - **Growth of Large Pet Cultures:** A potential opportunity for the burgeoning trend of keeping large pets as companions, such as capybaras, to push the expansion of the pet industry. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Pet Industry:** The pet industry may benefit from the creation of a new market for large pets, particularly capybaras, and the innovation of products and services tailored to their unique needs. - **Exotic Animal Trade:** The trend of purchasing and breeding exotic pets, such as capybaras, may pave the way for new markets in the exotic animal trade, as well as stricter regulations to ensure the ethical treatment of these animals. - **Tourism Industry:** The rise of capybara pet ownership may lead to an increase in trendsetting locations where tourists can interact with these exotic mammals and drive new interest in the tourism industry. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Digital Hamster Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bitzee-hamster-ball.md) - [Gritty Rodent-Inspired Boots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ratboot.md) - [Large Animal Plush Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/polar-bear-oversized-plush-cuddle-animal-body-pillow.md) - [Man-Sized Cuddly Teddy Bears](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/loving-bear-puffy.md) - [Tiny Pet Habitat Collectibles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miniverse-make-it-mini-animals.md) - [High-Capacity Pet Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drybos-ultra-smart-pet-dryer.md) - [Plush Monster Collectibles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/labubu.md) - [Holiday Dog Mascot Decorations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hamlet-on-the-hutch.md) - [Robotic Stress-Relieving Cats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/amagami-ham-ham.md)