Guinea pig trivia

We welcomed a couple of fur balls into the family yesterday. They're guinea pigs, stout-bodied rodents many a student (who have Biology as their fave subject) would typically associate with laboratory experiments. They're too adorable for me to resist taking photos. Enjoy some of the snaps I got with some notes and trivia below.

Guinea pigs are not pigs, not even closely related to the swine family. They are rodents belonging to the family Caviidae under the the genus Cavia. They are also called "cavy" and their scientific name is Cavia porcellus.

Despite the name, guinea pigs did not originate from Guinea. Their origin is traced to Andes.

Scientific findings suggest that Guinea pigs did not exist in the wild. They exist in their current form and behavior as a result of domestication.

The common practice of selling guinea pigs in pairs notwithstanding, it is worth noting that in Sweden, it is illegal to sell guinea pigs not in pairs. You are prohibited by Swedish law from buying only a single guinea pig.

Some people, especially in Peru, use guinea pigs for healing. Guinea pigs may be used as talismans that are rubbed to the body of a sick person to address illnesses or to drive away evil spirits.

It is very easy to raise guinea pigs. Grass from your backyard could suffice to feed these beautiful and hardy critters. They are also quite voracious that you can even turn them into living lawnmowers by creating a specially designed cage (one that does not have a bottom) that would contain/restrain them but allow them to access grassy grounds to feed.

The United States categorizes guinea pigs as exotic animals. An American or someone who resides in Uncle Sam's territory needs to obtain a license to raise them.

The term "guinea pig" also means "test subjects" apparently due to the fact that these rodents are often used in laboratory tests.

This may sound gross but prospective guinea pig pet owners should know that these rodents may occasionally eat their own feces. This poop eating habit is considered a natural behavior so it shouldn't be a reason to be alarmed. The habit is their way of recycling fiber, nutrients, and beneficial bacteria.

Guinea pigs love hopping or bouncing around when they feel happy or excited.

Guinea pig teeth do not stop growing. If they live to be over a century old, they can end up having teeth longer than their bodies.

Morning and evening: the perfect time to "play with" or enjoy the merry sight of guinea pig pets. These adorable creatures are most active at these times.

Guinea pigs are quite noisy rodents so you should be ready for the ruckus if you intend to welcome them into your homes. Their noise is usually their boisterous way of calling for their owners to feed them.

These domesticated rodents usually conceive for a period of a little more than two months. They usually produce two to three pups.

Unlike many other rodents, guinea pigs are not good in climbing.

The appeal of guinea pigs as pets is significantly attributed to their responsiveness to their owners. They may not like being cuddled but they are most likely to accept the leaves or pellets hand-fed to them.

Because of their size, it is not a very good idea to allow guinea pigs to stay or mingle with other house pets like cats and dogs. For most canine and feline family members, guinea pigs naturally appear to be an ideal prey so they are bound to instinctively chase them.