CONTRIBUTOR(S): Vetstream Ltd, Abigal Edis,
Guinea pigs: a history
Guinea pigs: a history
Guinea pigs are hystricomorph rodents (related to chinchillas and porcupines) that originated from the Andes Mountains region of South America. Traditionally, guinea pigs were used for ceremonial meals by indigenous people in the Andean highlands, and it continues to be a major part of the diet in Peru.
©Julia Manzerova
The history
In their natural habitat, guinea pigs live in open, grassy areas. They seek shelter in naturally protected areas or burrows deserted by other animals. Guinea pigs are sociable animals and tend to live in groups, called herds, of around 10-15.
They are strictly herbivorous (plant-eating) and do most of their foraging for grasses, roots, fruits and seeds in the late afternoon and early evening.
For many years guinea pigs have been used in biomedical research laboratories.
Are guinea pigs rodents?
- Class: Mammalia.
- Order: Rodentia.
- Family: Caviidae.
- Subfamily: Caviinae.
- Genus: Cavia.
- Species: porcellus.
- Scientific name: Cavia porcellus.
What are a guinea pigs vital statistics?
- Life span: 6-7 years.
- Average bodyweight:
- Male: 1-1.3 kg.
- Female: 0.8-1.1 kg.
- Ideal environmental temperature range: 18-24°C/65-75°F.
- Ideal relative humidity range: 40-70% (50% is considered ideal).
- Recommended age at 1st breeding:
- Male: 3-4 months.
- Female: <3-7 months (not after 7 months).
- Length of oestrous: (heat cycle) 16 days.
- Length of oestrus (period which female is receptive to male for copulation): 8 hours.
- Gestation (pregnancy period): average 63-72 days.
- Average litter size: 3-4 pups (ranges 1-6).
- Age at weaning: 3 weeks.
- Through selective breeding efforts, guinea pigs are found in an array of colours and coat types from which to choose. The main varieties of hair type which are commonly encountered in the pet and breeding industry which all come in differen colours are:
- Shorthaired (smooth coated) – short, smooth coated across their bodies
- Crested – shorthairs but have a single crest on the top of the head
- Abyssinians – these have rosettes (or whorls) of hair across the body
- Ridgeback – these have a single ridge of crested fur running along their backs
- Peruvian – like longhaired Abyssinians
- Sheltie (also known as Silky) – longhair smooth coated
- Coronet – longhaired crested coats
- Rex – rough coarse and dense coat with curly whiskers
- Teddy – rough coarse and dense coat with straight whiskers
- Texel – longhaired rex breed
- Merino – longhaired rex with a crested head
- Lunkarya – longhaired cross between a Rex and Peruvian
- Skinny – completely hairless