Guinea pigs, also called cavies, belong to a family of rodents native to South America. They are social animals that naturally prefer living in groups. The domestic guinea pig species, Cavia porcellus, does not exist in the wild. Its wild relatives live on grassy plains and eat plants like grasses and leaves.
Guinea pig breeds
Guinea pigs are compact and short-legged. Key physical facts:
Lifespan: 5–8 years
Weight: about 1.8–2.2 pounds (815–1,000 g)
Length: 8–19 inches (20–50 cm)
Normal body temperature: 99.5–103.1°F (37.5–39.5°C)
Heart rate: about 250 beats per minute
Reproductive cycle: 13–25 days
Pregnancy: 59–72 days
Litter size: 1–7 pups (usually about 3)
Weaning age: 3 weeks
Ideal housing temperature: 65–75°F (18–24°C)
Are There Different Breeds of Guinea Pigs?
Yes. There are at least 13 recognized breeds. Common examples include:
American: short, smooth hair
Abyssinian: short hair swirls called rosettes or whorls
Peruvian: long, silky hair
There are also hairless varieties. Coat colors and patterns can be black, tan, cream, brown, white, or mixes.
All guinea pig breeds share the same anatomy and basic features:
Eyes are on the sides of the head, giving a wide field of view (good for spotting predators), but they may have trouble seeing directly in front of them.
Heads are blunt, with small ears.
Front feet: 4 toes; back feet: 3 toes. Each toe has a sharp claw.
Back legs are longer than front legs.
No visible tail.
How Many Teeth Do Guinea Pigs Have?
Guinea pigs have 20 teeth: incisors (front teeth) plus premolars and molars in the back of their mouths. The incisors are easily seen when looking at a guinea pig, while the premolars and molars are far back in the mouth and not easily visible. Guinea pigs' teeth are “open rooted,” meaning they grow all throughout life. Chewing and eating, especially fibrous food like hay, naturally wear the teeth down. Because of this constant growth, the primary food in a guinea pig’s diet should be hay to help maintain proper tooth length and function.
Do Guinea Pigs Have Different Personalities?
Yes. Guinea pigs are usually gentle, social, and often vocal. They like living in small groups. In mixed-sex groups, only one intact male should be present, because intact males can fight over females when breeding. If breeding is not intended, then males and females should be kept separate unless they are spayed and neutered to prevent unplanned pregnancy.
Guinea pigs make many sounds—from squeaks and chirps to a “tooth-chatter” that resembles purring. When excited, they may “popcorn,” which means jumping, twisting, and hopping in the air.
Guinea pigs rarely bite when handled calmly. To pick one up, support the chest with one hand and the hindquarters with the other. Handling guinea pigs from a young age helps them become affectionate and comfortable being held.
