Guinea pig

Description

They are small, with thick coats of different colours and lengths depending on the race. Their bodies are thick with very short legs and they have a small tail that can hardly be seen among the fur. 

Ethology

They are very sociable. They take advantage of the day to sunbathe. They prefer to live in groups and they don’t move very far from where they sleep. To communicate, they make very characteristic squeals. They are very calm and friendly and will not be aggressive when in contact with humans.

Interesting facts

They were originally domesticated to serve as food as they are used in the preparation of several traditional dishes in South America. They have also been used to chase away rats and mice. Currently they are most popular as pets, although they require very meticulous care, as they are very sensitive to sudden changes of temperature.