guianae, may be domestic guinea pigs that have become feral by reintroduction into the wild. Some species of cavy identified in the 20th century, such as C. Studies from 2007 to 2010 applied molecular markers, and studied the skull and skeletal morphology of current and mummified animals, thereby revealing the ancestor to most likely be C. tschudii, which are still commonly found in various regions of South America. However, they are still used in research, primarily as models to study such human medical conditions as juvenile diabetes, tuberculosis, scurvy (like humans, they require dietary intake of vitamin C), and pregnancy complications.Ĭavia porcellus is not found naturally in the wild it is likely descended from closely related species of cavies, such as C. Since that time, they have been largely replaced by other rodents, such as mice and rats. The animals were used so frequently as model organisms in the 19th and 20th centuries that the epithet guinea pig came into use to describe a human test subject.
īiological experimentation on domestic guinea pigs has been carried out since the 17th century. Marketers tried to increase consumption of the animal outside South America. In the 1960s a modern breeding program was started in Peru that resulted in large breeds known as cuy mejorados ( improved cuy). They are raised for their meat and are a culinary staple in the Andes Mountains, where they are known as cuy. The animals are also used in folk medicine and in community religious ceremonies. Livestock breeds of the guinea pig play an important role in folk culture for many indigenous Andean peoples, especially as a food source. Many specialized breeds, with varying coat colors and textures, are selected by breeders. Organizations devoted to the competitive breeding of guinea pigs have been formed worldwide.
Their docile nature, friendly responsiveness to handling and feeding, and the relative ease of caring for them have continued to make guinea pigs a popular choice of household pet.
In Western society, the guinea pig has enjoyed widespread popularity as a pet since its introduction to Europe and North America by European traders in the 16th century. They were originally domesticated as livestock for a source of meat, and are still consumed in some parts of the world. Studies based on biochemistry and hybridization suggest they are domesticated animals that do not exist naturally in the wild, descendants of a closely related cavy species such as C. They originated in the Andes of South America. Despite their common name, guinea pigs are not native to Guinea, nor are they closely related biologically to pigs, and the origin of the name is still unclear. Breeders tend to use the word cavy to describe the animal, while in scientific and laboratory contexts, it is far more commonly referred to by the common name guinea pig. Keeping an Abyssinian can be extremely rewarding for experienced owners, but the breed’s excitable nature makes them a poor fit for first-time owners.The guinea pig or domestic guinea pig ( Cavia porcellus), also known as the cavy or domestic cavy ( / ˈ k eɪ v i/ KAY-vee), is a species of rodent belonging to the genus Cavia in the family Caviidae. Whatever the reason for their name, these rodents are known for having “rosettes,” or cowlicks, all over their fur, giving them a perpetual case of bedhead. The Abyssinian gets its name from…who knows, really? You’d think it would mean that the breed originally came from Ethiopia, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Abyssinian Guinea Pig Image Credit: Kirill Kurashov, Shutterstock Still, if you’d like to be introduced to every different type of guinea pig there is, the following list will help you meet each member of this rodent family. Not all 13 of these breeds are commonly kept as pets, so you may have never seen some of the animals mentioned on this list. They have no idea there are different types of these adorable little rodents, but, in fact, there are 13 different guinea pig breeds in total. When most people think of guinea pigs, they think of…guinea pigs.
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