Guinea Pig

scientific name

Cavia porcellus

characteristics

Adaptations/Coloration. various colors/hair lengths
Body. small " chunky " tailless
Ears. round
Feet. small " front have four toes hind three toes " all toes have broad claws
Legs. short
Muzzle. short " blunt
Senses. smell & hearing keen

behavior

Behavior. nocturnal " gregarious " squeal & grunt when hungry, excited, or afraid " escapes enemies by running " hide in rock crevices & under logs

reproduction/life span

Birth Interval. 4 litters/year
Gestation. 65 days
Litter. 2-4 " eyes open " full coat of fur " young mature at 1-2 ms

diet

herbivore
Wild. fruit, grasses, grains, & leaves
Zoo. Guinea Pig Chow, carrots, apples, & lettuce

habitat/range

burrows in dense underbrush " South America

status

common

other

rodent not pig " raised for food by Incas " buried in the tombs of kings & nobles

oregon zoo exhibit

Education Programs