The guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) is a small domestic rodent with a compact, cylindrical body covered in soft, dense fur that varies in shades of white, brown, black, and tricolor. The head is large in proportion to the body, with large lateral eyes and small ears, and the absence of a visible tail gives it an unmistakable silhouette. This species does not exist in the wild, being the result of domestication from its ancestral species, probably Cavia tschudii, at the beginning of Andean culture over 7,000 years ago; today it is found on all continents as a pet, laboratory animal, and, in certain parts of South America, as a food source.
Habits
Guinea pigs are social animals, living in groups/”herds” and displaying peaceful hierarchical behaviors; they are generally diurnal, most active in the morning and afternoon, communicating through whistles, squeaks, and chirps; they feed predominantly on grass, hay, and fresh vegetables, spending most of their day eating and exploring their territory.
Reproduction
Females (sows) reach sexual maturity at 4-6 weeks, and males (boars) at 3-5 weeks. Gestation lasts on average 59-72 days, resulting in 1-6 pups per birth (typically 3-4), and the female can have up to 5-6 births annually, with mating capability at 6-48 hours after giving birth.
Distribution
Native to the Andean region (medium and high-altitude areas of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Colombia), the guinea pig was later widely introduced to North America (especially the United States), Europe (including Germany), and through the pet trade and research, to other parts of the world.
