Guinea pig, Cavy, Domestic cavy
The Guinea pig or Domestic guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) is a species of rodent belonging to the genus Cavia in the family Caviidae. Breeders tend to use the word cavy to describe the animal, while in scientific and laboratory contexts, it is far more commonly referred to by the common name guinea pig. Despite their common name, guinea pigs are not native to Guinea, nor are they closely related biologically to pigs, and the origin of the name is still unclear. They originated in the Andes of South America. Studies based on biochemistry and hybridization suggest they are domesticated animals that do not exist naturally in the wild. They were originally domesticated as livestock for a source of meat, and are still consumed in some parts of the world.
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CrepuscularCrepuscular animals are those that are active primarily during twilight (that is, the periods of dawn and dusk). This is distinguished from diurnal...
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HerbivoreA herbivore is an animal anatomically and physiologically adapted to eating plant material, for example, foliage, for the main component of its die...
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FolivoreIn zoology, a folivore is a herbivore that specializes in eating leaves. Mature leaves contain a high proportion of hard-to-digest cellulose, less ...
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FrugivoreA frugivore is an animal that thrives mostly on raw fruits or succulent fruit-like produce of plants such as roots, shoots, nuts, and seeds. Approx...
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GraminivoreIn zoology, a graminivore (not to be confused with a granivore) is an herbivorous animal that feeds primarily on grass. Graminivory is a form of g...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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PrecocialPrecocial species are those in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. Precocial species are normall...
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GrazingGrazing is a method of feeding in which a herbivore feeds on plants such as grasses, or other multicellular organisms such as algae. In agriculture...
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ViviparousAmong animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
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Dominance hierarchyA dominance hierarchy (formerly and colloquially called a pecking order) is a type of social hierarchy that arises when members of animal social gr...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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DomesticatedDomesticated animals are those adapted to live with humans. It is the mutual relationship between animals and humans who have an influence on their...
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starts withDomestic guinea pigs are big, tailless rodents. Males in this species are larger than females. Despite their common name, these animals are not in the pig family and they don't come from Guinea in Africa. The origin of their name is still unclear. They originated in the Andes of South America and studies suggest they are domesticated descendants of a closely related species of cavy such as Montane guinea pig, and therefore do not exist naturally in the wild. Due to selective breeding, these animals have different hair colors and different coat textures and lengths.
Domestic guinea pigs are not found naturally in the wild. Now they are introduced as pets in Europe and all over the world. These animals are native to grassland habits. However, they were very adaptable and could survive in different environments.
Domestic guinea pigs are social and thrive in groups of two or more individuals. Groups of females, or groups of one or more females and neutered males are common, but males can sometimes live together. They are crepuscular animals, active during dusk and dawn. Guinea pigs can jump small obstacles but are poor climbers, and are not agile. When they sense danger these animals either freeze in place for long periods or run for cover with rapid. When happily excited, guinea pigs may repeatedly perform little hops in the air (known as "popcorning"). They are also good swimmers. Guinea pigs often self-groom and may sometimes participate in social grooming. Dominance within male groups is established through chewing each other's hair, biting (especially of the ears), aggressive noises, head thrusts, and leaping attacks. Guinea pigs communicate through various noises, including wheeks, rumbling, bubbling or purring, chattering, squealing or shrieking, cutting, and whining.
Domestic guinea pigs are strict herbivores. Their natural diet is grass. They also eat leaves, roots, fruits, flowers, and food pellets.
Little is known about the mating system of Domestic guinea pigs. Females are able to breed year-round, with the peak in spring. A sow can have as many as five litters in a year, but six is also possible. The gestation period lasts 59-72 days. Litter size ranges from 1 to 6, with 3 being the average. Newborn pups are well-developed with hair, teeth, claws, and partial eyesight. They are immediately mobile and begin eating solid food, though they continue to suckle. Females can once again become pregnant 6-48 hours after giving birth. Guinea pigs practice alloparental care, in which a female may adopt the pup(s) of another. This happens if the original parents die or are for some reason separated from them. Females nurse their young for 14-21 days until weaning. Males in this species reach maturity in 3-5 weeks, while females are able to breed as early as 4 weeks old, and can carry litters before they are adults.
The guinea pig was first domesticated as early as 5000 BC for food by tribes in the Andean region of South America (the present-day southern part of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia). From about 1200 AD to the Spanish conquest in 1532, selective breeding resulted in many varieties of domestic guinea pigs. In Western society, the domestic guinea pig is very popular as a household pet, a type of pocket pet, since its introduction by European traders in the 16th century. Their docile nature; friendly, even affectionate, responsiveness to handling and feeding; and the relative ease of caring for them have made and continue to make guinea pigs a popular choice of pet. The domestic guinea pig plays an important role in folk culture for many indigenous Andean groups, especially as a food source, but also in folk medicine and in community religious ceremonies. The animals are used for meat and are a culinary staple in the Andes Mountains, where they are known as cuy. A modern breeding program was started in the 1960s in Peru that resulted in large breeds known as cuy mejorados and prompted efforts to increase consumption of the animal outside South America.
Social animals are those animals that interact highly with other animals, usually of their own species (conspecifics), to the point of having a rec...