Living Organisms: The Secret Life of Guinea Pigs Laura Duclos Project Fulcrum Scientist

What are they? Chordate mammals Backbone, endothermic, have fur Are they rodents? Scientists are still not sure Belong in the family Caviidae Scientific name Cavia porcellus Latin for “little pig” They are not related to pigs

Where did they come from? Domesticated in 2000 BC by the Inca South American natives Food source (cuy) English and Dutch traders brought them to Europe 16 th and 17 th century Pets

Food?? Cuy – a Peruvian delicacy Often served at weddings Thought to ward off evil Important protein source Easy to raise Eat table scraps and grass in the yard Fast growers 65 million eaten per year Now exported to the US and Europe

How did they get the name Guinea Pig? Scientific name: Scientifically described in 1554 by Swiss naturalist Konrad Gesner Pig: Sounds they make Guinea: 2 different theories -- Ship trading routes or an Old British Coin

What is a British Guinea? First machine-struck gold coin (1663) Worth 21 shillings (or 1.05 GBP today) Production ceased in 1813 Gold was too expensive Replaced by paper money A pet guinea pig in 17 th century Europe cost about 1 guinea

Where do they live in Nature? Like small cows Live in herds – very social Graze on grass and weeds Smallest grass-eating mammals Can’t climb or jump Good runners Occasionally they eat their own poop Rabbits do this, too! Helps digest the grass

What is their biology? Male: boar Female: sow can get pregnant at 3 weeks Baby: pup born with fur 3-4 months in womb 3-8 pups born at a time Adult weight: kg (1-3 lbs) Adult length: cm (10-15 in) They must have lots of vitamin C (scurvy)

What colors do they come in? Fur length English shorthair - smooth Abyssinian - rosettes like Roo Peruvian - long hair that needs to be cut Color Selfs - single color Marked - multi-colored

Can I train Roo? Yes! – but not as easy as Smokey Proper Handling Lift by holding rib cage and supporting their hind-end Use a clicker Sensitive ears (don’t shout around them) Click and say the command Food rewards Great sense of smell Give only when Roo does what you want May take several weeks Daily training is best