# Guinea Pig (*Cavia porcellus*) Guinea pigs are small, gentle rodents that make soft squeaky sounds. They like to live in groups and need cozy cages with room to explore. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Indoor cages or hutches, kept warm and dry. - **Also known as:** Cavy, Domestic Cavy ![Guinea Pig](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426082/objects/4361.jpg) ## Appearance The Guinea Pig is a stout, tailless rodent with a compact body and a generally short neck. It has small, rounded ears and large, bright eyes, often sporting fur in a wide range of colors like white, black, brown, cream, or tricolor patterns, sometimes appearing fluffy or smooth. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Rodentia - **Family:** Caviidae - **Genus:** Cavia ## Interesting facts - Baby guinea pigs are born fully developed with fur and open eyes! - Guinea pigs sleep only about four hours a day, taking short naps! - In the wild, their ancestors lived in burrows made by other animals. - They are not from Guinea and are not related to pigs! ## Special abilities - **Chatty Communicator:** Guinea Pigs can make a variety of squeaks and purrs that help them talk to each other and their human friends. - **Nutrient Guardian:** Guinea Pigs must get Vitamin C from their food because their bodies cannot make it, unlike most mammals. - **Joyful Jumper:** Guinea Pigs can "popcorn," doing sudden jumps and twists to show they are happy and excited. - **Endless Chompers:** Guinea Pigs have teeth that grow constantly, which helps them grind down tough plant material without wearing out. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 20-25 cm - **Weight:** 0.7-1.2 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-8 years - **Speed:** 10 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-6 - **Gestation:** 59-72 days ## Diet & Feeding They love munching on hay and fresh veggies to keep their teeth healthy and their tummies full. - **Primary Foods:** hay, leafy greens, bell peppers, carrots, guinea pig pellets - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Cougar](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cougar) (*Puma concolor*) — Wild ancestors were prey for large predators. - **Eaten by:** Colocolo (*Leopardus colocolo*) — Wild ancestors were prey for wild cats. - **Eats:** Perennial Ryegrass (*Lolium perenne*) — A common grass grazed by wild ancestors and pets. - **Eats:** [White Clover](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-clover) (*Trifolium repens*) — A favorite plant of wild ancestors and modern pets. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Domesticated](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/domesticated): Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Handle them gently and always support their body to avoid injury. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Guinea Pig? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Guinea Pig? 20-25 cm ### How much does Guinea Pig weigh? 0.7-1.2 kg ### How long does Guinea Pig live? 5-8 years ### How fast can Guinea Pig move? 10 km/h ### What does Guinea Pig eat? They love munching on hay and fresh veggies to keep their teeth healthy and their tummies full. ### Where is Guinea Pig usually found? Indoor cages or hutches, kept warm and dry. ### How does Guinea Pig hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Alameda Wildlife Conservation Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alameda-wildlife-conservation-park) — Gibraltar, GI · Zoo - [Birgits Tiergarten](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/birgits-tiergarten) — Niedersachsen, DE · Zoo ## Watch - [Play video: Guinea Pig](https://www.snappit.app/videos/guinea-pig) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/watch?v=B8DJxHHvRHc) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Guinea Pig: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/guinea-pig)