The etymology of guinea pig is unknown and confusing.
Despite its name, guinea pigs are not from Guinea nor are in the pig family. They are native to the Andes Mountains in South America. They are believed to have been called pigs because their structure is similar to that of a pig's body. The guinea part of the name is even more confusing. There are three theories: one is that the guinea pigs were brought across the Atlantic Ocean to the island of Guinea then to Europe, another is that guinea was used because it is a word in the English language that means "far away land", and a third is that it was a variation of the word "Guiana", a region in South America (composed of Dutch Guiana [now Suriname], British Guiana [now Guyana], and French Guiana [still present]).
No one really knows how they got the 'guinea' part but they are called pigs because they make sounds like pigs.
because of their snout like noses
It is because its nose is long and at-once when we see guinea pigs they look like a small pig.Guinea pig eats their own poops.This may be the reason why Guinea pigs are called pigs.Also Guinea pig means small pig.So Guinea pig is a small miniature of pig though it is a rodent.
Actually Guinea Pigs do NOT come from New Guinea but might have been called Guinea because they may have cost 1 guinea during about the time of Queen Elizabeth (who actually owned several pet guinea pigs.) Which was about $1.80 a lot of money back then. They are THOUGHT to have been called pig because when roasted they looked like little pigs.
Because Guinea pigs are the most popular animal used in experiments.They have some charactes related to humans like rats.They are also easily available.So, a Guinea pig is the common term used for animals in genetic experiments.'Rats' are also used in experiments.
because scientists used to experiment on guinea pigs
The term "guinea pig" refers to an experimental subject.
They are called guinea pigs because they are.
Hi
Male Guinea Pigs are called Boars, female Guinea Pigs are called Sows, and babby Guinea Pigs are called Pups. A group of Guinea Pigs is called a Herd. :)
Peruvians cook guinea pigs. Guinea pigs are native there and they are called Cuy.
== == A group of hamsters is called a horde
It is not called humming, guinea pigs do that type of sound because they are breathing.
Baby pigs are called Piglets or Piglet for singular.a baby pig is called a piglet
Male Guinea Pigs are called Boars, female Guinea Pigs are called Sows, and babby Guinea Pigs are called Pups. A group of Guinea Pigs is called a Herd. :)
Young guinea pigs are called pups.
A family of Guinea Pigs is called a fluff.
Peruvians cook guinea pigs. Guinea pigs are native there and they are called Cuy.
== == A group of hamsters is called a horde
Girl guinea-pigs are called... I donno do I?
A group of guinea pigs is called a herd.
Guinea pigs belong to the cavy family (Caviidae).
It is not called humming, guinea pigs do that type of sound because they are breathing.
Guinea pigs dont live in Peru, they live in an island called Guinea this here, is a picture of guinea
They are called Guinea Pigs because they were sold in England for a Guinea, which is a coin used over in the United Kingdom.
Guinea pigs are called pigs because they were used by German sailors as a source of fresh meat when sailing. They were called little sea pigs by the sailors.