What is a Guinea Pig?

1. Despite their common name, guinea pigs are not in the pig family.
2. The origin of “pig” in “guinea pig” is not clear. They are built somewhat like pigs, sometimes they sound a bit like a pig, and they also spend a large amount of time eating.
3. Guinea pigs are also called the Cavy.
4. Guinea pig is a species of rodent.
5. The scientific name of guinea pig pet is Cavia Porcellus (porcellus is Latin for “little pig”).

Where are Guinea Pigs From?

1. Despite their common name, these small animals are not from Guinea.
2. The origin of “guinea” in “guinea pig” is also unclear. One theory is that the animals were brought to Europe by way of Guinea.
3. Guinea pigs we know are domesticated and do not exist naturally in the wild.
4. It is believed their cavies ancestors are from South America.
5. The common guinea pig was first domesticated as early as 5000 BC for food by tribes in the Andean region of South America.

Where to Get a Guinea Pig?

1. You can buy it in the local pet store (they are not expensive, but in general this is not recommended – especially in the USA – but this heavily depends on your location and pet store mentality)
2. You can adopt and rescue a guinea pig.

Guinea Pig As a Pet

1. The average life expectancy of a guinea pig is 4 to 8 years.
2. They are tending to be most active during dawn and dusk, when it is harder for predators to spot them (animals with such characteristics are called crepuscular animal).
3. They will whistle on the owner’s approach when they become familiar with their owner.
4. They will learn to whistle in response to the opening of refrigerator doors or rustling of plastic bags, where their food is most usually stored.
5. Guinea pigs eat their own droppings, usually directly from the below. Yup. This is perfectly normal for some animals and it is called coprophagy.
6. After its cage has been thoroughly cleaned, a guinea pig will (on the delight of its master) usually urinate and drag the lower body across the floor of the cage to mark its territory.
7. Cavies are curious by nature and they show considerable curiosity when allowed to walk freely.
8. Guinea pig as a pet is quite responsive, interactive, but also easily intimidated. Usually does not bite, but it is quite possible.  They can become very used to handling.
9. Guinea pig as a pet is relatively not demanding, small in size and peaceful in nature. 
10. Guinea pig likes company (of their own kind and human).

10 More Facts About Guinea Pigs

1. They can learn complex paths to food. They can also accurately remember learned paths for months.
2. They are not really agile, but they can jump small obstacles.
3. They are exceedingly good swimmers. But. Don’t make them swim for your own entertainment. It could be stressful and physically harmful to them!
4. They have about 340° wide range of vision and see in partial color (this is called dichromacy).
5. When confronting danger from predators, larger groups of startled guinea pigs will “stampede“, running in haphazard directions as a means of confusing their enemy.
6. A milky-white substance is secreted from their eyes during the grooming process, and rubbed into the hair.
7. Why the epithet “guinea pig” for a test subject? These animals were frequently used as a model organism in the 19th and 20th centuries. They have since been largely replaced by other rodents (mice and rats).
8. The longest living guinea pig survived 14 years, 10.5 months (according to the 2006 Guinness Book of Records).
9. Cohousing of guinea pigs with other rodents such as gerbils and hamsters is NOT a good idea. This may lead to respiratory and other infections and such rodents may act aggressively toward the guinea pig.
10. In the South Park season 12 episode “Pandemic 2: The Startling”, giant guinea pigs dressed in costumes rampage over the Earth.