TaxonomyClick below to find out what the taxonomy of a guinea pig is.
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Original UseGuinea pigs make great pets today, but their original use didn't focus so much on their cuteness. Read below to find out more about them.
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More HistoryRead below to find out more about their history in South America and Europe.
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What is in a name?No one knows the exact history of the name for guinea pigs. What we do know is porcellus (species) is the latin word for little pig. This may refer to the low grunts and squeals they make and their pig like body.
Things get a little more iffy with Guinea. A few theories exist here. First traders bringing Guinea Pigs back from South America would stop at Guinea before arriving in Europe. Europeans may have misunderstood and thought they were being brought back from Guinea instead of South America. Another theory is that they could be bought for one guinea coin, which was a form of currency at the time. Finally, it may have come from the Portuguese word "guine" which meant "far away lands." Portugal heavily participated in trade during this time, and this word may be been use in the description of these animals leading to their name. In addition to being called Guinea Pigs, the term Cavy (from their Genus) is also commonly used in the Guinea Pig community. |
Movie Time!!! |
Guinea Pigs In Research |
But what do they look like? |
Guinea pigs have provided many contributions to research. This has led to us referring to anything being used in research or as a trial run as a "guinea pig." Read the article below to learn more...
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They look like cuteness....pure cuteness. But more specifically...
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Varieties
Explore the website below to learn more about the 10 varieties of guinea pigs.
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Dinner Time
Guinea pigs are herbivores with some unique dietary needs. In the wild they typically graze on grass.
Guinea pigs cannot synthesize their own Vitamin C, which is similar to humans. They must be provided Vitamin C in their diet or they will be prone to scurvy (aaarrrrgggggg matey!) They need about 30-50 mg of Vitamin C daily. Guinea pig labelled food will provide vitamin c in the diet. You must be careful not to buy in bulk, as the vitamin c will break down over time.
Commercial pellet feed is the best source. It provides the correct nutrition and also helps wear teeth down. Avoid "fiesta" mixes with colorful food and seeds. These are not a natural part of their diet and essentially is junk food. Feeding this food can lead to obesity and related diseases.
They should also get an unlimited amount of hay. Timothy hay works best.
They can also get fruits and veggies. Limit their intake as it could lead to diarrhea. Below is a list of vitamin C rich foods:
÷Guava -Broccoli
÷Orange or lemon with peel -Collard
÷Parsley -Mustard Greens
÷Brussels sprouts -Kale
No No list:
-Legumes -Foods with preservatives
-Potatoes -Mushrooms
-Peppers -Animal meats and byproducts
-Alcohol -Caffeine or carbonation
-Seeds and kernals -Nightshade family stems/leaves (tomatoes fine...stalk not...)
-Avocado or Coconut (fat) -Garlic and Onions
-Anything with pesticides -Cooked food
Water must be provided regularly as they are prone to heat stroke if temperatures get too high.
Also be aware that Guinea pigs are cecophagic just like rabbits.
Guinea pigs cannot synthesize their own Vitamin C, which is similar to humans. They must be provided Vitamin C in their diet or they will be prone to scurvy (aaarrrrgggggg matey!) They need about 30-50 mg of Vitamin C daily. Guinea pig labelled food will provide vitamin c in the diet. You must be careful not to buy in bulk, as the vitamin c will break down over time.
Commercial pellet feed is the best source. It provides the correct nutrition and also helps wear teeth down. Avoid "fiesta" mixes with colorful food and seeds. These are not a natural part of their diet and essentially is junk food. Feeding this food can lead to obesity and related diseases.
They should also get an unlimited amount of hay. Timothy hay works best.
They can also get fruits and veggies. Limit their intake as it could lead to diarrhea. Below is a list of vitamin C rich foods:
÷Guava -Broccoli
÷Orange or lemon with peel -Collard
÷Parsley -Mustard Greens
÷Brussels sprouts -Kale
No No list:
-Legumes -Foods with preservatives
-Potatoes -Mushrooms
-Peppers -Animal meats and byproducts
-Alcohol -Caffeine or carbonation
-Seeds and kernals -Nightshade family stems/leaves (tomatoes fine...stalk not...)
-Avocado or Coconut (fat) -Garlic and Onions
-Anything with pesticides -Cooked food
Water must be provided regularly as they are prone to heat stroke if temperatures get too high.
Also be aware that Guinea pigs are cecophagic just like rabbits.
Living Quarters |
Reproduction |
Guinea pigs may be one of the simplest rodents to house, but they still have some needs that must be met. Read with the humane society recommends.
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Check out the powerpoint to learn about the unique breeding information regarding guinea pigs...
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