Despite the name, they are not pigs at all, nor do they come from Guinea. Guinea pigs were first domesticated as far back as 2000BC in the South American Andes mountains, from a region we now call Bolivia and Peru. They were originally kept as food, but many may have become family pets for children to rear as pets back then. Guinea pigs are also called 'Cavy'which is short for Cavia Porcellus, their official name. Male guinea pigs are referred to as boars and females are called sows.
In nature, they live in 'herds' with a single dominant boar (male) who breeds with the females.
Guinea pigs are actually tailless rodents with stout bodies and are kept as pets by many people all over the world
There are 3 types of guinea pigs – the first is the Peruvian guinea pigs which have straight, long and silky hair. Second are the American/English ones which have short hair with a smooth coat. The third is the Abyssinian guinea pigs which have a wiry coat with hair that forms swirls, like rosettes. …show more content…
SOME GUINEA PIG FACTS:
* Guinea Pigs are more active during the day and less so at night
* Guinea pigs spend lots of their time grooming each other and themselves making them very clean animals to keep as pets
* A healthy adult guinea pig weighs between 700 and 1200g (1.5 – 2.5lbs)
* A Guinea pig is about 20 to 25 cm long (8 – 10 inches)
* Guinea pigs in the wild live in semi-arid deserts and grassy plains.
* A healthy guinea pig lives for between 4 – 7 years – the better it is cared for, the longer it will live!
* Guinea pigs are herbivores and live mainly on hay and grass.
* They make a variety of noises if they want to express themselves. This includes chirping, squeaking, purring, rumbling and
In nature, they live in 'herds' with a single dominant boar (male) who breeds with the females.
Guinea pigs are actually tailless rodents with stout bodies and are kept as pets by many people all over the world
There are 3 types of guinea pigs – the first is the Peruvian guinea pigs which have straight, long and silky hair. Second are the American/English ones which have short hair with a smooth coat. The third is the Abyssinian guinea pigs which have a wiry coat with hair that forms swirls, like rosettes. …show more content…
SOME GUINEA PIG FACTS:
* Guinea Pigs are more active during the day and less so at night
* Guinea pigs spend lots of their time grooming each other and themselves making them very clean animals to keep as pets
* A healthy adult guinea pig weighs between 700 and 1200g (1.5 – 2.5lbs)
* A Guinea pig is about 20 to 25 cm long (8 – 10 inches)
* Guinea pigs in the wild live in semi-arid deserts and grassy plains.
* A healthy guinea pig lives for between 4 – 7 years – the better it is cared for, the longer it will live!
* Guinea pigs are herbivores and live mainly on hay and grass.
* They make a variety of noises if they want to express themselves. This includes chirping, squeaking, purring, rumbling and