Home » Pets » About Guinea Pigs
About Guinea Pigs
The cuddly little animal known as a guinea pig originally comes from the Andes Mountains. These friendly, little creatures have been a popular pet for hundreds of years, first in Europe and now across the globe. Today, thousands of children and adults around the world have guinea pigs in their homes.
Contrary to the animal's name, the guinea pig does not come from Guinea. There are many theories as to why the little animals are called guinea pigs, one of which being that the animals were sent through Guinea on their way to Europe hundreds of years ago, and many people believed they had come from the region. Several other theories exist as well. The “pig” part of the animal's name comes from their history as food for sailors, as they were easy to keep and provided a source of fresh meat.
Guinea pigs have become popular pets at homes around the nation, and often live in small groups of two or three. They can be messy little guys, often throwing things all over their cages and overturning their water and food dishes. Many young children love to watch guinea pigs groom each other, as they are prone to do. The little colonies also establish a hierarchy of who is in control, and when they become excited, the animals are prone to jumping up and down. This behavior is often referred to as “popcorning.”
Guinea pigs are also well known for the noises they make. Guinea pig noises range from squealing, which generally signals pain or distress, to bubbling or purring, a noise that indicates that the little guy is enjoying himself. Vocal noises are the main ways that the species communicate with one another, and thus guinea pig owners often hear a variety of different sounds coming from their guinea pig cage. Owners can also guess what the animal is feeling or doing, based on the sounds coming from the guinea pig.
Though they do make lots of different noises, guinea pigs are a popular pet because they are not exceptionally loud. Guinea pigs are also very sociable animals, and they like to spend time with their owners. The animal needs lots of attention and does not like to be left alone in his cage for extended periods of time, and their calm demeanor has made them a favorite pet of many individuals looking for a low-energy friend. Unlike many other animals in the rodent family, a guinea pig does not scurry around without ever stopping. Rather, the guinea pig likes to sit with his owner and simply snuggle.
Anyone thinking about guinea pig adoption should consider what they are looking for in a pet, in order to make certain that a guinea pig is the right pet for you. If you are looking for a lovable and friendly pet who will be happy to spend time with you and who won't require lots of maintenance, the guinea pig could be the perfect pet for you and your family.