Guinea Pig (redirected from Guinea-pig)

guinea pig (gĭn`ē), domesticated form of the cavy, Cavia porcellus, a South American rodent. It is unrelated to the pig; the name may refer to its shrill squeal. Guinea pigs were raised by the Incas and have long been used as food in South America. They were first imported into Europe from Guiana in the 16th cent. There are a number of varieties, some with short, smooth hair and others with longer hair, and a great range of color combinations, including mixtures of black and white and many shades of brown. They have rounded bodies, large heads, and blunt noses and reach a length of 6 to 10 in. (15–25 cm) and a weight of 1 to 2 lb (450–900 grams). Females produce three to five litters, usually of three or four young, per year. The guinea pig's rapid reproductive rate and high resistance to disease make it a valuable laboratory animal; it is used for testing serums and antitoxins and for experiments in genetics and nutrition. It is also sometimes kept as a pet. It is classified in the phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata, class Mammalia, order Rodentia, family Caviidae.

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guinea pig

Domesticated species (Cavia porcellus) of South American cavy (family Caviidae). It resembles most other cavies in being stout, short-legged, and about 10 in. (25 cm) long. It has small ears, no external tail, and a coat that is black, tan, cream-coloured, brown, white, or a combination of these colours. Hair length and texture vary among varieties. It feeds largely on grass and other green plants. Domesticated in pre-Incan times, it was introduced into Europe in the early 16th century. It is a popular pet and a valuable research animal.

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guinea pig

a domesticated cavy, probably descended from Cavia porcellus, commonly kept as a pet and used in scientific experiments

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guinea pig [′gin·ē ‚pig]

(vertebrate zoology)

The common name for several species of wild and domestic hystricomorph rodents in the genusCavia, family Caviidae; individuals are stocky, short-eared, short-legged, and nearly tailless.

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Guinea Pig 

(Cavia porcellus), a mammal of the order Rodentia. The body length measures up to 35 cm; there is no external tail. The hind feet have three digits, and the forefeet have four. The color is brownish gray on top. The guinea pig inhabits open spaces in the foothill regions of Peru. A crepuscular animal, it lives in small groups in burrows that it either has dug itself or has taken over. It bears one to four young twice a year.

The guinea pig, or a closely related species, was domesticated by the Incas as a source of food and was imported to Europe in the 16th century. It is now widely used as a laboratory animal for medical purposes and physiological experiments. A number of breeds differing in the color and nature of the fur have been developed. In captivity, the guinea pig reproduces year-round, with each litter containing six offspring. The animal does not tolerate sharp fluctuations in temperature well.