A pig is any of the animals in the genus Sus, within the Suidae family of even-toed ungulates. Pigs include the domestic pig and its ancestor, the common Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa), along with other species; related creatures outside the genus include the peccary, the babirusa, and the warthog. One of them is Guinea Pig.
1. Family
The guinea pig also called the cavy. Despite their common name, these animals are not in the pig family nor are they from Guinea. They closely related species of cavy such as Cavia aperea, C. fulgida, or C. tschudii therefore, they do not exist naturally in the wild.
4028mdk09 /CC BY-SA 3.0 | Guinea Pigs
2. Size & Life Span
Guinea pigs are between 700 and 1200 g in weight and between 20 and 25 cm in length. They typically live an average of four to five years, but may live as long as eight years.
/Public Domain | Guinea Pig
3. Habitat & Behaviour
These are commonly found in various regions of South America. They move together in groups for eating grass or other vegetation and do not store food. They do not burrow or build nests.
Mikerussell /CC BY 3.0 | Three Guinea Pigs
4. Fun Facts
They tend to be most active during dawn and dusk when it is harder for predators to spot them. Guinea pigs can learn complex paths to food and can accurately remember a learned path for months. Also, they are a good swimmers.
ilovebutter /CC BY 2.0 | Cat And Guinea Pigs
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