Guinea pigs get lonely and shouldn't be kept alone - they're happiest in pairs. Guinea pigs need a high fibre diet supplemented with vitamin C, as they lack the enzyme needed to synthesise vitamin C and can only store it for short periods.
Understanding guinea pigs' needs Read our expert pet care information to find out more about the needs of guinea pigs, including their environment , diet , behaviour , company and health and welfare. Print Guinea pigs. Did you find this useful? A suitable environment for guinea pigs Find out more about the environmental needs of guinea pigs. A healthy diet for guinea pigs Find out more about the dietary needs of guinea pigs.
A family resemblance. While the various types of cavy differ in size, there are some shared characteristics: a stout body, a short tail, a large head with short ears, and continuously growing, flat-crowned jaw teeth 20 of them. Their dense, coarse coat ranges from olive-, cinnamon-, and reddish-brown to yellowish-gray.
Some, such as the greater guinea pig C. Underparts are usually whitish to gray. The soles of their feet are hairless and claws are sharp. When it comes to domestic guinea pigs, a range of colors, hair length, and coat texture are possible.
Savanna to scrub. Cavies are found across the South American continent, in open areas ranging from moist savannas to thorn forest and scrub desert.
They live in low elevations right up to 16, feet 5, meters. Their range runs from Venezuela to southern Patagonia, but they are not found in western Chile or most of the Amazon River basin.
Anybody home? They den at night in burrows that they have excavated or that other mammals have abandoned. How they came to Europe When trade with Europe really took off from the 16th century onwards, guinea pigs became popular imports, generally as pets rather than food.
Initially introduced to Europe by the Spanish conquistadors, they were valued as exotic pets, especially among the rich and members of the royal courts — for example, Queen Elizabeth I of England was one of the first European fans of guinea pigs.
The earliest known written reports concerning guinea pigs are from the year in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. However, they have several species-specific needs which must be taken into consideration by anyone who is looking to have guinea pigs as pets.
The most common sound they make is a drawn-out squeal when anticipating being fed. Many people who share their lives with guinea pigs call this noise a wheek. Although guinea pigs are not known to be climbers, they have some modest climbing ability.
Another surprise is that they can jump a little. This jumping is usually only an inch or two and done in a short burst. Their limited vertical ability makes it possible to house them in enclosures with short walls and no top. Guinea pigs are herd animals who are very social. In fact, in Switzerland a law dating from made it illegal to sell animals classified as social as a single pet.
Guinea pigs fall into that category. Most guinea pigs truly enjoy the company of other guinea pigs. Of course, not all guinea pigs get along, so any pairings or groupings should be done with care. An attentive owner is a must for guinea pigs or any pet. One bonus to guinea pigs rather than fish or even hamsters is that guinea pigs often enjoy interacting with their human companions.
They tolerate being held and some might really enjoy it. Be warned that guinea pigs are also famous for urinary accidents and leaving pellets.
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