| The scientific name for the
domestic guinea pig is Cavea porcellus. There are about
fourteen species of wild guinea pigs, all native to South America.
In their natural state guinea pigs live in groups called "herds".
A better name however would be "packs" as the composition
is similar in structure to a wolfpack. Each herd has a dominant
male and dominant female, and all follow a strict protocol of
guinea pig language and behaviour to ensure the survival of
the herd. A typical herd may contain five to ten animals, and
live in close proximity to other herds - even sharing the same
feeding runs, though not mixing |
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The
wild Tschudi Guinea Pig (Cavea Tschudi)
is a nocturnal mountain dweller of Chile and Peru and the most
likely candidate for the title of direct ancestor to our domestic
guinea pig. Found at altitudes of almost 4200m (14000 ft), the
Tschudi Guinea Pig lives in small groups of 5 to 10 animals
in burrows which it digs for itself or takes over from other
animals. With a slender body, it has great agility in climbing
and leaping. Their coats show a greyish agouti patterning, not
unlike that of a wild rabbit, and provide them with a good level
of camoflage. |
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The
rock cavy, also named Moko
(kerodon rupestris), has approximately the same size
as the wild guinea pig with a longer, narrower head. It prefers
stony mountains and is an excellent climber. It gets up trees
to eat their leaves.
More on Rock Cavies:
Smithsonian
National Zoological Park |
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The
mara (dolichotis patagona) is a native
of the grassy pampas of Argentina. It can grow up to 75cm
long and is sometimes known as a "Patagonian cavy"
or "Pampas Hare". It is active during day-time and
sleeps in rock- or earthcaves. Because of its large hind legs
the mara is a very good runner
More on Maras:
www.peninsulavaldes.org
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Another
South American relative is the coypu (Myocastor
coypus) which grows to 6cm in length and weighs around
9kg. It has a scaly, rat-like tail, webbed hind feet, a blunt-muzzled
head and large orange incisors. It's fur is reddish-brown.
It lives in burrows on river banks and is vegetarian. Coypu's
were brought to Europe and farmed for their fur ('nutria').
Many escaped or were released into the wild. They became established
in Britain in the area of the Norfolk Broads where they became
a severe pest... most of these have now been eradicated |
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The
capybara (Hydrochaeris) is the world's
largest rodent - adults can measure up to 1.3m (4ft) long!
These web-footed natives of South America are cousins to our
lovable pet guinea pigs! The capybara inhabits marshes and
dense vegetation around water. It has thin yellowish hair,
swims well and can rest underwater with just ears, nose and
eyes above the surface.
More on Capybaras:
Smithsonian
National Zoological Park |
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