0
The name Guinea 'pig' comes from its latin form Cavia porcellus. Porcellus translates into 'little pig' in english, so that is how they have pig in their names. It is not known how they came up with the latin name, as they have no links with pigs
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoThere are many explanations from wikipedia how Guinea Pig got their name:
1.One explanation is that the Europeans brought Guinea Pig from South America via Guinea back to Europe.So,the people thought that the Guinea Pig originated from Guinea.
2.Another explanation is that the word "Guinea" was frequently used in English when explaining unknown country.So,the name simply refers to the animal's foreignness.
3.The third explanation is that the name is a corruption of Guiana,it is an area of South America.
4.Some say that the Guinea Pig's got their name because they were sold for the price of a Guinea coin.But there are many objections for this explanation and it had been proved that this hypothesis is untenable.
5.Others believe that Guinea maybe an alternation of the word "coney".Coney means rabbit. guinea pigs were referred to as "pig coneys" in Edward Topsell's i 1607 treatise on quadrupeds.
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoGuinea pigs originate in South America. They were first domesticated by the Incas of Peru.
Guinea pigs originate from Peru where they were kept for food.
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoThey come from South America but people thought they were from New Guinea. They were called pigs because their ancestors looked kind of like tiny pigs.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoI think cos guinea pigs are related to pigs and they were sold in Peru for one guinea something like that
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoWhen they were imported to England, they used to be sold for one guinea. They loved their food so much they called them pigs.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoThey got their name because when first discovered by Europeans guinea pig's made a high screeching sound like a pig.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoGuinea pigs got their names because they eat and sound like pigs, but they aren't related to pigs. People began eating them in New Guinea, which explains the guinea part.
Pansey Parkinson
Adam and Eve were on earth Adam named them.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoPeru
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
How are guinea pigs used all over the world?
Guinea pigs originated in South America as food.
Where was the original ecosystem for guinea pigs?
The guinea pig originated in South America.
Where does guinea pigs from?
It is believed that the guinea pig originated in the South American Andes.
Guinea pigs and the Inca tribe?
the Inca tribe tamed them for food, and they lived with them in there houses and huts guinea pigs were the Inca's most praised and possessed food's. thanks
Did the guinea pig and capybaras originate in same place?
Yes - both guinea pigs and capybaras originated in Peru.
What is the history of teddy guinea pigs?
Teddy Guinea Pigs: More commonly known as rex, (NOT REXES!... THNX Heather H) ORiginated in Peru like the rest of the guinea pigs. They got their hair from envolution, i.e adapting to the cold
Do guinea pigs come from South America?
They originated in the Andes mountain of South America.
Are guinea pigs a pig or?
No!!!!!!!They are actually part of the rodent family.
Are guinea pigs vegetarian?
No.
How many guinea pigs do guinea pigs have?
I have three
Who gave the name 'guinea pigs' to guinea pigs?
Not sure, but guinea pigs aren't type of pigs. They're in the rodents family, and NOT pigs. Hope this helped?
Do Romans toast guinea pigs?
Peruvians cook guinea pigs. Guinea pigs are native there and they are called Cuy.
