Kingdom : Animalia Class : Mammalia Family : Caviidae Scientific Name : Cavia Porcellus Size : 20 - 25cm (8 - 10in) Weight : 700 - 1,200g (1.5 - 2.5lbs) Top Speed : 9km/h (5.5mph) Life Span : 4 - 7 years Colour : Black, Ten, White, Brown, Grey, Orange Skin Type : Fur Special Features : Small body and thick, wiry coat
- Guinea pigs are small, furry animals found in the South American Andes mountains.
- They grow to an average length of 20-25cm.
- Distinctively, they have a small body with thick, wiry coat.
- They are a stable source of food to the local people of the Andes mountains.
- They were domesticated very early at around 5,000 BC as a source of food.
- Interestingly, they are also believed to be a supernatural medium and are used to heal the sick.
- The present day domestic species is believed to be a subspecies of the Andes Guinea Pig.
- They live to be around 6-7 years when domesticated and around 3-4 years in the wild.
- They are also kept as pets all around the world but need a lot of time, energy and effort.
- They are not able to judge distances or height accurately and need constant supervision around household furniture.
- They communicate through a series of squeals which are high-pitched
- There are a variety of guinea pigs today, as a result of selective breeding by the Spanish.
- They are quite sociable but are known to be extremely territorial.
- Oddly, domestic guinea pigs urinate and drag their body along their clean cage to remark their territory.
- Guinea pigs are herbivores, feeding mainly on seeds, grass, leaves and even hay.
- Their natural predators are wolves, coyotes and snakes.