I call them hamsters, and have been corrected on this by a "friend"
of mine. Please tell me the difference. Is it physical attributes or are they completely unrelated animals?
2006-09-23 05:13:47 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Hamsters and guinea pigs are two completely different animals. The most obvious difference is that hamsters are very small, they can fit in the palm of your hand. Guinea pigs are much larger, they generally weigh around 3 pounds or so when fully grown.
They have different dietary and housing needs as well.
2006-09-23 05:36:05 · answer #1 · answered by qwerty456 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Guinea Pig Hamster
2017-01-02 11:39:55 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hamster Guinea Pig
2016-11-14 01:09:53 · answer #3 · answered by carmack 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are totally different animals.
They are both rodents, but hamsters are about 4 times smaller than an guinea pig: a hamster is about the size of a small childs hand, and a guinea pig about the size of a grownups hand. Guinea pig also make funny litte noises! Ever seen the original psycho? You know that sound right as someone is being killed? Well that is what a guinea pig sounds like, sort of.
Hamster are nocturnal, and I don't think guinea pigs are.
2006-09-23 05:26:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hamsters are native to Europe and Asia while the guinea pig is native to South America. That's one difference which shows they are not related.
Although they eat approximately the same foods, the guinea pig is much larger and is commonly used as a food animal in the Andes mountains. If you've ever seen a roasted guinea pig, they look delicious.
The hamster is strictly a pet or laboratory animal. I suppose you could stew them, but it's hardly worth the effort.
By the way, the guinea pig is very likely to get into space when space habitats are finally developed. They breed easily, have several litters per year, and mature quickly. Perfect livestock for a limited space.
2006-09-23 05:27:31 · answer #5 · answered by loryntoo 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Gerbils are playfull animals with long tails, and who love to chew. They are very active at night time because they are nocturnal. You can hand train them, and theyre very social. Its better to get them in pairs and they will be happier. They can run very fast, and jump high! They are probably more playful than hamsters (they dont just sleep all day) but I do not know! Hamsters are fluffier, without the big long tails! Hamsters and Gerbils are about the same size, and you feed them the same food. Guinea Pigs are much bigger, and would need bigger cages, and dont look much like hamsters or gerbils!
2016-03-17 02:58:20 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
a guinea pig gets about 5 times the size of a hamster, and eats more like a rabbit. they are both good pets though. they do look alot alike, but the are completely unrelated.
2006-09-23 05:19:43 · answer #7 · answered by lynz 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I've owned hampsters and guineapigs( as well as gerbels and mice) between the two you listed, while guinea pigs are harder to keep clean (as long as you don't put 2 males in a cage with a female near by), they are "sweeter" and seem more stable.
2006-09-23 05:25:05 · answer #8 · answered by ralahinn1 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The hamster fits down the toilet, the guenea pig does not.
2006-09-23 05:49:45 · answer #9 · answered by Valerie 6 · 8⤊ 2⤋
I have had both and they are both boring. Hamsters are so small & cute but they don't do anything. Guineau Pigs are bigger and cute and they don't do anything. Yes they are completely different animals though.
2006-09-23 05:19:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋