Post by Dawn - Admin on Apr 26, 2006 14:26:50 GMT
A guinea pig is also known as a Cavy
A male guinea pig is called a Boar
A female guinea pig is called a Sow
Baby guinea pigs are generally called Pups - though I think Piglet is much better !
The guinea pig is currently classified as a Rodent - though this is currently the subject of some debate ! They belong to the 'family' Caviidae and the 'genus' Cavia. My dictionary definition of rodent is:
1. 'Mammal of the order Rodentia with strong incisors and no canine teeth eg rat, mouse, squirrel, beaver, porcupine' - what illustrious relations !
2. 'Gnawing' - very appropriate !
There are about 9 different species of guinea pig - including Cavia Aperia [the Brazilian guinea pig] - and the Cavia Magna [Greater guinea pig] - The one we are most familiar with - the domestic guinea pig - is known scientifically as Cavia Porcellus
Porcellus is Latin for 'little pig'
Guinea pigs originate from South America
Guinea pigs grind their food in a front to back motion as opposed to the rabbit which grinds with a side to side motion
In some cultures, guinea pigs are kept as a source of food
Guinea pigs cannot make their own Vitamin C - so they must get this from their diet - hence the need for fortified pellets and fresh vegetables & fruit
The longest living guinea pig was aged 15 years old and is listed in the Guiness Book of Records - I must look up his name !
It is a sad fact but guinea pigs are still sometimes used as a 'test' subject in laboratories
The guinea pig eats only plant matter - no meat or dairy etc - it is herbivorous
Guinea pigs are herd animals - in the wild they live in large social groups led by a dominant boar - this boar is the only male in the herd who is allowed to breed with the female. It is due to this reason that problems arise when keeping more than 2 males together - especially if there are females nearby - they all want to be the dominant male
Guinea pigs are naturally prey animals which means that in the wild they get hunted down by predators - from the ground, and the air - this accounts for their naturally cautious nature.
They do not dig burrows or climb up trees - they generally scamper around on the ground - they can run very fast and have a low centre of gravity. They will, however, happily live in vacated burrows dug by someone else !
Many famous people have kept guinea pigs as pets - including Princess Diana
Guinea pigs have appeared in films & on TV ! Who remembers Rodney in Dr.Dolittle, Mr GP in Tales of the Riverbank - and who has seen the 'Egg' adverts on TV [and in newspapers]featuring many different guinea pigs ?
Beatrix Potter features several guinea pigs in her stories: The Head Gardener and his little helpers in 'Cecily Parsley's Nursery Rhymes' and The Amiable Guinea Pig in 'Appley Dapply's Nursery Rhymes'.
Source: www.diddly-di.fsnet.co.uk/Facts%20&%20Figures.htm
A male guinea pig is called a Boar
A female guinea pig is called a Sow
Baby guinea pigs are generally called Pups - though I think Piglet is much better !
The guinea pig is currently classified as a Rodent - though this is currently the subject of some debate ! They belong to the 'family' Caviidae and the 'genus' Cavia. My dictionary definition of rodent is:
1. 'Mammal of the order Rodentia with strong incisors and no canine teeth eg rat, mouse, squirrel, beaver, porcupine' - what illustrious relations !
2. 'Gnawing' - very appropriate !
There are about 9 different species of guinea pig - including Cavia Aperia [the Brazilian guinea pig] - and the Cavia Magna [Greater guinea pig] - The one we are most familiar with - the domestic guinea pig - is known scientifically as Cavia Porcellus
Porcellus is Latin for 'little pig'
Guinea pigs originate from South America
Guinea pigs grind their food in a front to back motion as opposed to the rabbit which grinds with a side to side motion
In some cultures, guinea pigs are kept as a source of food
Guinea pigs cannot make their own Vitamin C - so they must get this from their diet - hence the need for fortified pellets and fresh vegetables & fruit
The longest living guinea pig was aged 15 years old and is listed in the Guiness Book of Records - I must look up his name !
It is a sad fact but guinea pigs are still sometimes used as a 'test' subject in laboratories
The guinea pig eats only plant matter - no meat or dairy etc - it is herbivorous
Guinea pigs are herd animals - in the wild they live in large social groups led by a dominant boar - this boar is the only male in the herd who is allowed to breed with the female. It is due to this reason that problems arise when keeping more than 2 males together - especially if there are females nearby - they all want to be the dominant male
Guinea pigs are naturally prey animals which means that in the wild they get hunted down by predators - from the ground, and the air - this accounts for their naturally cautious nature.
They do not dig burrows or climb up trees - they generally scamper around on the ground - they can run very fast and have a low centre of gravity. They will, however, happily live in vacated burrows dug by someone else !
Many famous people have kept guinea pigs as pets - including Princess Diana
Guinea pigs have appeared in films & on TV ! Who remembers Rodney in Dr.Dolittle, Mr GP in Tales of the Riverbank - and who has seen the 'Egg' adverts on TV [and in newspapers]featuring many different guinea pigs ?
Beatrix Potter features several guinea pigs in her stories: The Head Gardener and his little helpers in 'Cecily Parsley's Nursery Rhymes' and The Amiable Guinea Pig in 'Appley Dapply's Nursery Rhymes'.
Source: www.diddly-di.fsnet.co.uk/Facts%20&%20Figures.htm
