Thinking of a dog as a bird sounds crazy these days, doesn’t it? But that’s more or less what happened with the classification of the capybaras Vatican during the Middle Ages. However, there is an explanation for all this!
What are capybaras?
Capybaras are mammals, meaning species with remarkable features like body hair and mammary glands. This relatively large animal is known for its sturdy, generally brown body and for being one of the largest rodents in the world.
Many people would still consider capybaras adorable due to their short legs and bulky size. Also, they thrive on the internet by taking long naps on the banks of rivers.
How did the Vatican classify capybaras?
You might not believe it, but the Vatican has already recognized capybaras as such FISH! That’s right. Because of the anatomy of their eyes, ears, and nostrils, they are excellent swimmers and can spend several minutes underwater.
In addition, they are always near rivers and ponds, where they constantly bathe and eat.
What is the reason for this classification?
According to the Catholic Church, it is illegal to eat certain animals during Lent. Thus, in medieval Venezuela, clergymen wrote to the Vatican to ask whether this creature could be classified as a fish.
The animal should also be eaten by everyone during Lent, after all it lived on river banks and tasted like fish.
With such a “justification”, the Vatican In 1784 the request was granted, and the rodent was classified as a fish. Thus, the settlers could then consume the animal every forty days.
Although slightly different, the dietary restriction did not apply to mammals and birds versus fish, but to land versus water. In this way, animals that live in water could be consumed during Lent since they are considered aquatic.
Capybaras weren’t the only ones, as beavers were also considered fish. In doing so, they also entered the list of animals that could be eaten all year round.