Are there any interesting facts about GuineaPigs?

Question

Hi! I am doing a ten minutes presentation on guinea pigs and I was just wondering if there were any interesting facts that I could put into my presentation! Thankyou!

Answer 1

guinea pigs are from South America, where they are still kept and used for food as a good source of protien for Andean Peoples too poor to afford other meats. In the past its thought that there title Guinea Pig came from the spanish Conquistadors that brought them on the ships to take home as pets for there kids, when they arrived they sold off the offspring to traders for 1 guinea (type of money) and that they were called pigs because they could vocally squeal like a little piglet. Though no one really knows where the true title is from. Most other countries call them Cavies, and this is the correct term for Guinea Pigs. Since there genus name is Cavia Porcellus. There closest relative is the Cappabara in South America which happens to be the largest rodent on earth. They are not closely related to Rabbits, Rats, Mice or other rodents as they have very diffrent genetic make up in accordance to other rodents. They live in herds, and social groups with several females and there female offsprings, and one herd male. They live in a burrow society. They make for social pets. The males are called Boars, the females are called Sows. They are one of the rare rodents that are pregnant for 60 days (same as cats and dogs) and give birth to PUPS (not piglets), that are fully formed, eyes open, and able to eat vegitation and run with the parent in a few hours. Females have only 2 teats to milk with so if more than one pup is born they have to take turns nursing. Guinea Pigs are also one of the rare rodent that has a large range of vocalizations. If you want more information for the Domesticated variety, such as breeds, colors, types. I can email you a report I have written for my Caviary. Otherwise this post can get really really really long. I have raised and bred Show pigs for 17+ years and run a rescue.
DUKEFENTON you are mis-informed and believe in a myth, Guinea pigs can breed at any age, but because of there growth patterns a Guinea Pigs SHOULD be bred before 1 year of age, The pelvic bones do not fuse but what happens is they get less soft, less flexible if she has not had babies before one year old, since babies are born large and fully furred it can cause problems with the birth and they get stuck more often that not in a female that was bred for the first time past one, but they do not always die. Proper Breeding age for first time moms is 6 to 8 months old, and only should be bred once a year till about 4 years old. Females can go into heat about 6 to 8 hours after birth, but should never be bred back to back like this. If your breeding quality healthy guinea pigs.

Answer 2

Everyone who has posted a question (just like yours!) I have tryed to answer all, but, what seems to really work, is that if you get a big poster (like a big piece of card stock), and then make a chart telling when you will play with guinea pig, for how long, what day(S) you will clean the cage, and then what times, and the stuff like that! Also, get a binder. Fill it up with your OWN papers that (are typed) have information on guinea pigs. You are welcome to use books, the interenet or even calling pet stores for information on guinea pigs, just make sure that the information is from your own words. When you are done, show it to your parents. Tell them that they can think it over for a few days. Give them space. Let them start the conversation on letting you get a guinea pig or not, do not keep bugging them about it, because they will probably end up saying "NO!" I hope that this works, just as it has for many people! I wish you good luck, and thanks for taking in this answer! Thanks, and GOOD LUCK!

Answer 3

Guines pig females can have their first litter at only six months old. If they don't get pregnant and have a litter at this time, they'll never be able to give birth because their pelvis will be too narrow.

Guinea pigs are the only common pets that need Vitamin C added to their diet.

Answer 4

They dont like to be bathed with alot of water, they like carrots and lettuce, they like to be played with constantly, they like to be clean, and they dont llike loud noises, and if they stop eating then they're sick!

Answer 5

well i could tell u the noises they make when they purr they love it, when they do little squeking they want it , when they squel they hate it or really want it like food and when they grind there teeth they hate it....

Answer 6

No....what you see is what you get.