This is the hilarious moment a sleepy capybara sparked laughter from zoo visitors after losing its balance and plunging into a pond while stretching in Russia.

Footage captured at Moscow Zoo shows the rodent napping on a set of steps alongside its fellow capybaras before suddenly starting to stretch on October 4.

The drowsy animal had spectators in stitches when it lost its balance mid-stretch, rolled over, and tumbled straight into the water.

The unexpected splash startled the rest of the herd as they turned to watch their soggy companion emerge from the water, dripping wet, much to the amusement of the tourists.

General Director of the Moscow Zoo Svetlana Akulova said: 'A lesson for the future from capybara: Always be on guard.'

Native to South America, the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) is the largest living rodent, with its closest relatives being guinea pigs and rock cavies.