The Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus ) is a small mammal of the Order Rodentia. On average it is about 10 inches long and weighs about 2 pounds. Its hair length and color vary a great deal. These little animals originated in Central and South America. The Dutch obtained them in what used to be Dutch Guiana (now Surinam) and they were first called Guiana Pigs, which later became Guinea Pigs.
In their native habitat they lived in colonies among rocks and crevices of semi-arid land. They are herbivores and eat grasses, fruit, grains and vegetables. They are diurnal and will retreat into a warm burrow in cold weather. Their high-pitched squeals are familiar to anyone who has ever had one as a pet.
Equipped with long claws for digging burrows, Guinea Pigs have what it takes to survive in the wild. Their small, compact bodies help them conceal themselves in rocky crevices so predators can't reach them. They have large ears and their hearing is extra sensitive, allowing them to hear a predator's approach. They have chisel-like front teeth for chewing on their food.
Guinea pigs mate during the warm months and their young, 3 on average, are born after a gestation period of from 1 to 2.5 months. The young can forage for themselves after only 3 days, but their mother cares for them for about three weeks. A Guinea Pig's life span is from 6 to 8 years.
Well, maybe a Guinea pig isn't always found on a farm, but I'll bet there are lots of kids living on farms that have them as pets. The Guinea pigs shown above are a Hansa Plush Guinea pig (left), Marble the Guinea pig from Douglas Cuddle Toys, in back is Gertie a Puffkin made by Swibco and in front of Gertie is Twitch the Guinea Pig and Rosa the PinkyS from Ty and at right is George from the Boyd's Collection. We have some Guinea Pigs in our Gift Shop.
To see other barnyard animals, click on the links below: Barnyard | Cows | Ducks | Goats | Guinea Pigs | Hamster | Horse | Llama | Pigs | Sheep
