Deciding to kick off my zoo with an axolotl, I skipped the pet store and headed to my old classmate Jason's place. His parents kept a pair of axolotls in separate tanks. After a brisk 20-minute walk, I found one tank empty—a casualty of some feeding mishap. The survivor, however, clung to life amidst murky waters and a malfunctioning filter. Determined to rescue it, I hauled the axolotl and its sorry setup back home.
With a little elbow grease, I swapped out the grimy water, fixed the filter, and spruced up its enclosure. The axolotl settled into its new digs—a glass container nestled amidst rocks and a cozy, moist nook, shaded by a makeshift sunroof within one of my enclosures.
With my amphibious friend settled, I turned my sights to a capybara. Memories of a wild encounter spurred me on a three-day quest until I tracked the critter down in an abandoned warehouse, surrounded by cryptic drawings. After a comical capture, I dove into research to create its perfect habitat.
Crafting a slice of paradise, I adorned the capybara's enclosure with lush grass, a serene water pool, and lily pads basking under a sun-kissed spot, balanced with shade. A heated lamp stood ready for chilly nights, while a cooling fan promised relief on scorching days. Once settled, the capybara snoozed contentedly, casting a wary eye my way.
As the day wound down, I retreated to bed, watching the sun dip below the horizon. Meanwhile, the capybara, in its musings, contemplated its failed attempts to rally the creatures against me. Eventually resigning itself to captivity, it curled up for a well-deserved nap, its dreams echoing with visions of freedom.