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Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are a member of the rodent family. Cavia porcellus is descended from the wild guinea pig of the Andes Mountains. Guinea pigs properly known as cavies were domesticated some 7000 years ago and used as a source of food, but they are social animals and make great pets.
5,247 Questions
A guinea pig is neither a pig nor is it from Guinea What is it?
A guinea pig is a small rodent native to the Andes region of South America. They are not pigs; the name "guinea pig" is a misnomer.
Where did the guinea pig get its name from?
It has to do with the Spanish explorers that first found Brazil, Peru, and all those places around there. They called the 'guineas' because they were worth a guinea when they were sold as pets in England/Europe, and pigs because they squealed similar to a piglet or young pig.
This occurred in many languages other than English; the German word for them is Meerschweinchen, literally "Little Sea Pigs" (sailing ships stopping to reprovision in the New World would pick up stores of guinea pigs, which provided an easily transportable source of fresh meat), the Russian and Polish word for them is similar, "morskaya svinka" and "winka morska" respectively, meaning also "Little Sea Pig" (it comes from archaic use of the word to mean "overseas"). The French word is Cochon d'Inde, (Indian pig), the Dutch used to call it guinees biggetje (Guinean piglet), and in Norway, Sweden and Denmark they are called marsvin (a combination of the Latin word mare for ocean, and Norwegian/Swedish/Danish svin which means pig). In Greek they are called 'indika xoiridia' (Small Indian Pigs), and in Portuguese, the term is "porquinho da �ndia", literally "little pig of the Indies". In Italian the term is either "Porcellino D'India" (Little Indian Pig) or "Cavia Peruviana" (Peruvian Cavy). However, this perception of pigginess is not universal to all languages or cultures. For example, the common Spanish word is 'conejillo de Indias' (Indian bunny rabbit).
The scientific name of a common species is Cavia porcellus, with porcellus being Latin for "little pig".
The origin of "guinea" in "guinea pig" is even harder to explain. One theory is that the animals were brought to Europe by way of Guinea, leading people to think they had originated there. Another theory suggests that "Guinea" in the case of the guinea pig is a corruption of "Guiana", an area in South America. A common misconception is that they were so named because they were sold as the closest thing to a pig one could get for a guinea (an old British coin with a value of 21 shillings, or 1.05 GBP in modern decimal currency). However, evidence does not support this conjecture: for example, the Dutch name refers to the country of Guinea rather than the British coin, and the first guinea pig was described in 1554 by the Swiss naturalist Konrad Gesner more than a hundred years before the first guinea was struck.
You have 2 female guinea pigs what does it mean when one mounts the other?
Mounting behavior in guinea pigs is not always related to mating. It can be a way for one guinea pig to show dominance over the other or establish hierarchy within their social group. If both guinea pigs are female and not in heat, it's likely a display of dominance rather than a mating behavior. If the behavior becomes aggressive or one guinea pig seems distressed, it's best to separate them and monitor their interactions.
Care for a female guinea pig when babies have died?
How Terrible!! =[ If there are any other nursing guinea pigs around, they will nurse babies that they did not give birth to. Whenever something like this happens, you need to find a really good pet store and veterinarian places to provide nutriton to the babies. Whenever my guinea pigs have babies and find out something like this happened to somebody, I myself would take care of the babies that lost their mother and then return them to their owners. Anyways, it doesn't take long at all before guinea pigs start to eat solid food. They are born with teeth just like they are born with hair.
Are guinea pigs allowed to eat apple?
yes, guinea pigs can have apples.... but not too much. if you try to give them apples and they won't eat it don't feed it to them anymore. also NEVER feed them seeds...it might be better just to not give them apples just to be careful.
What are good toys for guinea pigs?
Cat toys, and you... A small playhouse that they can scamper into when they are scared is nice. They like to go through empty duct-tape rolls, but only if your guinea isn't very big. Also, other guinea pigs will provide your guinea with exercise and companionship.
How warm do guinea pigs like the temperature of the air?
Guinea pigs prefer temperatures between 65-75°F (18-24°C). It's important to keep them in a draft-free area and avoid extreme temperature fluctuations to ensure their comfort and well-being. Providing appropriate bedding and shelter can also help regulate their body temperature.
How do you know guinea pigs are pregnant?
She will start to eat and drink a lot more. You may notice her belly to get larger (don't mistake this for her just getting fat) and her teats to get larger too. Of course you might not see any signs at all and one day just find another guinea pig in the cage. Hopefully this wouldn't be the case though.
What age should guineapigs be to breed?
male g/pigs can breed as soon as they are 4 weeks old but its good to wait until they are 6-7weeks before starting. Same with females they can breed as soon as they are 5-6weeks old but again wait until they are 7-8weeks old before breeding with them.
Is it normal for a guinea pig to go crazy over cucumber?
Yes, it is normal for guinea pigs to enjoy cucumber. Cucumbers are a safe and healthy treat for guinea pigs, as they are high in water content and help keep the guinea pig hydrated. However, it's important to feed cucumbers in moderation to prevent digestive issues.
How do you tell if your guinea pig is dehydrated?
They will not be active,and will probably stay in the same spot and not really move around. If that happens call a vet immediately because guinea pigs are very sensitive animals and it can be deadly.
Do only some guinea pigs stink up your house?
Yes, usually males stink up your house more than females. Message me if you have any more guinea pig questions.
What animals prey on guinea pigs?
cats ,maybe dogs and wild animals.my 2 4day old babie guinea pigs were attacked by
cats and so was the dad guinea pig and they didn't survive:(so never let your cats near your guinea pigs if they are not in a closed hutch or run or cage
How does your guinea pig know that your the mom?
You will know if a guinea pig loves you when you are holding it and it coos or makes little clicking sounds when you enter the room the guinea pig is in and it moves to the side of the cage closes to you making squealing or chittering sounds
You know your piggy loves you when she is happy to see you, gives little squeaks when she hears you, and gives you "Piggy Kisses" When you hold her! She might nibble a bit, but to her it's affectionate, in her mind she's grooming you, not biting.
What is a young female guinea pig called?
All female guinea pigs are called sows no matter the age, however in the show world guinea pigs under 3 months are Jr., 3-6 month old guinea pigs are intermediates, and over 6 month old guine pigs are seniors. If your guinea pig is under 3 months then generally it would be called a pup.
How do you look after long haired guinea pigs?
to keep any guinea pig healthy you need to GIVE THEM LOTS OF FRUITS AND VEGGIES, GIVE THEM TIMOTHY HAY EVERYDAY, MAKE SURE THEY ALWAYS HAVE PELLET FOOD AND WATER, CLEAN THEIR CAGES REGULARY OR AS NEEDED, PLAY WITH THEM AND OR HOLD THEM, AND HAVE A VET DO A CHECKUP AND CLIP THEIR NAILS. go to the website: guineapigsclub.com to get more helpful info and tips on how to keep your guinea pigs healthy!
What do you need for your pet to travel with no problems?
its depending on a cat/dog/mouse/guinea pig. guinea pig's or mice shouldn't be a problem just simply get a portable cage and fill it's with anything the other cage had. if it's a cat its up to you. if you feel your cat might be a bother to others you would put them in the luggage compartment. if its a dog SORRY it would HAVE TO be put in the luggage compartment. ALWAYS fill cage or carrier with news paper water and food.
If two guinea pigs were hybrid for texture and produced eight offspring, and six of the offspring had rough fur, the fraction of offspring with rough fur would be 6/8, which simplifies to 3/4. So, three-fourths of the offspring had rough fur.
Should you take guinea pigs to the vet if you get them at petco?
you should take guinea pigs to the vet if you get them ANYWHERE. You should only take them though if youd like to check them out and make sure they are healthey, nuetor them, or check their gender.
What if your guinea pig is hard and round is she pregnant?
A hard and round abdomen in a guinea pig could be a sign of pregnancy, but it could also indicate other health issues such as bloating or constipation. It's best to consult a veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Can you spray your Baby Gunina Pig with Mite spray?
Obvioulsy not... that's cruel to the animal.. if they lick themsleves for any reason that can get in their system and they could die... so please don't kill the poor animal!!!
How many times do guinea pigs have babies A YEAR?
Guinea pigs typically have litters of babies around 4-6 times a year. They have a relatively short gestation period of 59-72 days. It's important to monitor breeding to prevent overpopulation and ensure the well-being of the animals.
Do Guinea Pigs like to get in water?
Drinking water?... well they dont drink water much but they do like it .....AND if you are bathing them well........... they not too fond of water so they might squeel alot but aspesially if its a long hair you need to bath them aleast once a month and clean there cage once - twice a week
Can timothy hay grow in the wild?
Timothy grass, which is used for timothy hay, can grow wild in North America and Europe. It is a cool-season grass that can thrive in diverse environments. However, the quality of wild timothy hay may vary compared to cultivated varieties.
Can your Russian tortoise catch pneumonia from your guinea pig?
It is unlikely for a Russian tortoise to catch pneumonia from a guinea pig, as the causes of pneumonia for each species are different. However, it is always best to keep them in separate enclosures to prevent the potential spread of diseases.
